Beyt Tikkun

Shabbat Service & Torah Study | Sh’lach
2025-06-21 09:30 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Shabbat Services and & Torah Study: Parashat Sh’lach (Numbers 13:1-15:41)Saturday, June 21stEmeryville, CA & online9:30am Shabbat service // 10:30am Torah study
You can join us either in person or on Zoom for Shabbat services and/or Torah study. If you are in the Bay Area, we’d love to have you join us in person. After Torah study, we enjoy a vegetarian potluck meal together and have an opportunity to deepen our connection with one another. If you are able, please bring a vegetarian dish to share with others. For those joining us online, we invite you to also bring food to eat after the service. We will keep the room open so folks can connect with each other after the service.
A peek into Torah study with us and the parsha reading this week:
In this week’s parsha, God tells Moses to send 12 scouts to survey the land. Moses shares God’s instructions. May God’s message have been misunderstood? The scouts come back with mixed reports. Most are terrified of what they see–the people are giants and we are mere grasshoppers. Two, Joshua and Caleb, reassure the people that the land is filled with abundance and the people aren’t so immense. What’s going on? Is this the moment when the former Israelite slaves prove to God that they lack the courage to enter the Promised Land, or are they are war resisters? Is their response one of surplus powerlessness or a response to a higher ethos?
How does this story in this parsha play out today? And can we imagine a different reality? Can this parsha help us imagine a different way of seeing and engaging with the land and people who inhabit it?
Accessibility:

Masking optional
Air filter provided; windows can be opened on request.
Not wheelchair accessible—4 steps into the home, 4 to the backyard.
Seating includes couches, chairs, and floor pillows.
Services may be held outdoors (weather permitting); please dress accordingly.
Please avoid scented products.
No shoes indoors, if possible.
Indoor and outdoor space available for eating.
A cat lives in the home. A retriever/labrador dog lives in the home but will not be present.

In-Person Kabbalat Shabbat & Potluck Oneg
2025-06-13 18:30
In the midst of so much heartbreak and horror this week, join Beyt Tikkun for an anti-Zionist Kabbalat Shabbat & potluck this Friday, June 13. Come gather for spiritual nourishment, grounding, and community in these painful times. Offering a warm, welcoming space rooted in global liberation and spiritual growth, we’ll gather in community to welcome Shabbat with song, spirit, and reflection—followed by a shared meal.
Date: June 13, 2025Location: Rabbi Cat’s home in Oakland, about 0.5 miles from MacArthur BART Station. Address will be provided once you register.Time: Doors open at 6:00pm. Services begin promptly at 6:30 PM.Potluck: Following services, we’ll share a community meal. Please bring a vegan, gluten-free dish to contribute.
Accessibility:

Masking is optional; required on alternating months (see schedule below).
Air filter provided; windows can be opened on request.
Not wheelchair accessible—4 steps into the home, 4 to the backyard.
Seating includes couches, chairs, and floor pillows.
Services may be held outdoors (weather permitting); please dress accordingly.
Please avoid scented products.
No shoes indoors, if possible.
Indoor and outdoor space available for eating.
A cat lives in the home. A retriever/labrador dog lives in the home but will not be present.
Please email marissa@beyttikkun.org if you have questions or other accessibility needs.

Mark your calendars!Monthly In-Person Kabbalat Shabbat ScheduleEvery Second Friday of the Month
We will be hosting these events every month (except for July and August.) Please see the schedule below for future dates. This is subject to change; You will have to register for each event individually

September 12, 2025 - masking required
October 10, 2025 (Sukkot) - masking optional
November 14, 2025 - masking required
December 12, 2025 - masking optional
January 9, 2026 - masking required
February 13, 2026 - masking optional
March 13, 2026- masking required
April 10, 2026 - masking optional
May 8, 2026 - masking required

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Walk, Pray, Eat with Rabbi Cat
2025-06-10 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-05-13 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-04-08 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-03-11 08:00 - 09:00
On the second Tuesday of each month, Rabbi Cat will lead a morning Walk, Pray, Eat.
You can meet R’Cat in Emeryville, CA (she will also have her phone and do it on Zoom as well!) and join her (and her lovely dog Dodi!) for morning prayers while walking and if you want, you can stop and grab some food (along the way or at the end).
We will walk along the Emeryville Greenway, which is accessible to all people (flat, level, wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, etc.). Bring your dog if you want as well. We will meet at 8:00am PT at the park and leave for our walk at 8:10am.
The prayers will last about 30-45 minutes.
You can stay as long or short as you are able. We will have the prayers (in English and Hebrew transliteration) available on paper as well as online.

Right of Return Pilgrimage
2025-06-08 16:00 - 19:00
On Sunday, June 8, join Interfaith4Ceasefire, IM4HI and Beyt Tikkun to join our pilgrimage in public witness for the Palestinian Right of Return and affirm the human right to remain, return, and migrate.
*** The Beyt Tikkun Community will meet at 4:00 pm at Cafe Milano, 2522 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704, to walk Leg 6 together (2.9 miles)
Please note: This is a whole day event, 7am-7pm, and you are welcome to walk a different portion (or the entire walk) if you are unable to gather with the Beyt Tikkun community at 4:00pm. More information here: https://shorturl.at/46POv
The entire journey is 22 miles from Alameda to Berkeley, retracing in reverse last year’s pilgrimage route. This distance mirrors the path from Rafah to Gaza City, taken in prayerful solidarity with those displaced by violence and war. Our pilgrimage is part of the global Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages movement, which continues to grow in power and spirit. We will gather as people of diverse faiths, cultures, and communities who believe in the sacredness of life, dignity, and shared well-being.
We are organizing this pilgrimage because the violence funded by U.S. tax dollars in Gaza is not separate from the violence our communities experience here — through systems of incarceration, family separation, displacement, and criminalization that target immigrants, Indigenous people, unsheltered neighbors, trans and BIPOC communities.

To Join:

Register here: https://www.im4humanintegrity.org/2025/04/right-of-return-pilgrimage/
We have created a Signal Group (for iPhone or Android phones) to communicate location and other details on the day of the event : -You can join our Signal group here: https://shorturl.at/q8Uij-If you need support getting started with the Signal, please see this article: https://shorturl.at/IUQH9-If you do not want to join the signal group, no worries, you can meet us at the location above at 4:00pm on Sunday, June 8.

Shabbat Service & Torah Study | Nasso
2025-06-07 09:30 - 12:30
Shabbat Services and & Torah Study: NassoSaturday, June 7thEmeryville, CA & online9:30am Shabbat service // 10:30am Torah study
You can join us either in person or on Zoom for Shabbat services and/or Torah study. If you are in the Bay Area, we’d love to have you join us in person. After Torah study, we enjoy a vegetarian potluck meal together and have an opportunity to deepen our connection with one another. If you are able, please bring a vegetarian dish to share with others. For those joining us online, we invite you to also bring food to eat after the service. We will keep the room open so folks can connect with each other after the service.
Torah Study on Parshat Nasso: Every burden matters. Every voice counts.
Join us this Shabbat as we dive into Parshat Nasso. At first glance, some parts of this parsha might feel distant—or even troubling—from our modern sensibilities. But what if these ancient words still speak powerfully to the challenges of building a just and united community today?
Together, we'll explore questions like:

What does Nasso teach us about building a society where every person has a role and a voice?
How do we confront and wrestle with texts that feel uncomfortable—like the sotah ritual—and still find meaning?
What can this parsha reveal about the sacred burdens we carry, and the responsibilities we share in our communities?
If we were writing a book today on how to build a nation of purpose, justice, and belonging—what chapters might we borrow from Nasso? What would we change?

Whether you’re a regular Torah learner or just curious to explore deeper questions of community, justice, and identity, this is a space to learn, reflect, and grow together.
Come with your questions. Leave with deeper connection.

Access Information

Location: Rabbi Cat’s home in Oakland, about 0.5 miles from MacArthur BART Station. Address will be provided once you register.
Accessibility: There are 4 steps to enter the house and 4 steps to the backyard (if people choose to go there.) The bathroom is not wheelchair accessible. There are couches, chairs, and floor pillows for seating. Please try to be scent-free. A cat lives in the home. A retriever/labrador dog lives in the home but will not be present.
COVID: Masks are optional. Please don’t come if you have any symptoms. Air filter provided. Windows can be opened if requested.
Please email us if you have questions or other accessibility needs.

Sunrise Shavuot Gathering 5785
2025-06-02 06:45 - 08:30
Date: Monday, June 2, 2025Time: Arrive by 6:45 AM Location: Albany Bulb (exact spot emailed after registration)
Join Beyt Tikkun for a spiritually enriching Shavuot celebration as we welcome the sunrise together outside at Albany Bulb. Surrounded by nature and community, we’ll mark this sacred time with prayer, reflection, and connection.
Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai—a moment of deep spiritual awakening. We are taught that revelation is an ongoing process, inviting us to receive wisdom in every moment. This sunrise gathering on Shavuot offers a unique opportunity to attune ourselves to that sacred transmission—past and present.
🕊️ What to ExpectOpening Prayers to create sacred spaceGuided Meditation led by Rabbi Cat Zavis to open our hearts to the Torah we need nowCommunity Connection with light breakfast provided (feel free to bring snacks or drinks)
🌿 What to BringBlanket or cushion (optional)Warm layersFood or drink to share (optional)
♿ AccessibilityWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating on stone benches without backsMasks optional
🤲🏼 Take Action Given the ongoing genocide and starvation in Gaza, we are also using this moment to mobilize and join the Jews for Food Aid for People in Gaza campaign. 👉 You can sign-on in support of this campaign here. http://foodaidforgaza.org/
The goals of this campaign are to:• Show solidarity to Palestinians starving in Gaza• Embody liberatory Jewish values• Demonstrate MASS Jewish support for Israel to end its food aid blockade through a simple message that will appeal to the most people. Week 1 goal: 18,000 signers• Mobilize tens of thousands of Jews to engage with the acute crisis in Gaza ahead of Israel moving forward their plans for mass expulsion and ethnic cleansing.
❓Questions Contact Marissa at marissa@beyttikkun.org

Shabbat Service & Torah Study | Emor
2025-05-17 09:30 - 12:30
Shabbat Services and & Torah Study: EmorSaturday, May 17thEmeryville, CA & online9:30am Shabbat service // 10:30am Torah study
You can join us either in person or on Zoom for Shabbat services and/or Torah study. If you are in the Bay Area, we’d love to have you join us in person. After Torah study, we enjoy a vegetarian potluck meal together and have an opportunity to deepen our connection with one another. If you are able, please bring a vegetarian dish to share with others. For those joining us online, we invite you to also bring food to eat after the service. We will keep the room open so folks can connect with each other after the service.
A peek into Torah study with us and the parsha reading this week
This week’s parsha, Emor, pulls no punches. It presents tough questions—some even offensive on first reading.

Who is “worthy” enough to offer sacrifices? And who decides?
What does it truly mean to not desecrate the name of God? Is it just about not swearing—or something far deeper?
And how do we reconcile the Torah’s mandate—“one law for citizen and stranger alike”—with the reality of the Israeli modern state that violates this principle? Can a state call itself Jewish while embracing systemic inequality?

These aren’t easy questions. But they’re essential ones. Join us as we wrestle honestly with our tradition and what it demands of us today.
Let’s lean into the discomfort. That’s where transformation begins. We hope you can join us for these rich and thought-provoking discussions.

Access Information

Location: Rabbi Cat’s home in Oakland, about 0.5 miles from MacArthur BART Station. Address will be provided once you register.
Accessibility: There are 4 steps to enter the house and 4 steps to the backyard (if people choose to go there.) The bathroom is not wheelchair accessible. There are couches, chairs, and floor pillows for seating. Please try to be scent-free. A retriever/labrador dog lives in the home but will not be present. A cat has lived there previously.
COVID: Masks are optional. Please don’t come if you have any symptoms. Air filter provided. Windows can be opened if requested.
Please email us if you have questions or other accessibility needs.

In-Person Kabbalat Shabbat & Potluck Oneg
2025-05-09 18:30
Join us on May 9 for a warm and welcoming in-person Kabbalat Shabbat and Potluck Oneg. Rooted in a commitment to global liberation and spiritual growth, our gatherings offer a sacred space to connect, reflect, and celebrate Shabbat together. We will be hosting these events every month. Please see the schedule below for future dates. We invite you to come to as many as you’re able!
Date: May 9, 2025Time: Please arrive by 6:15 PM to settle in. Services begin promptly at 6:30 PM.Location: Rabbi Cat’s home in Oakland, about 0.5 miles from MacArthur BART Station. Address will be provided once you register.Potluck: Following services, we’ll share a community meal. Please bring a vegan, gluten-free dish to contribute.Carpooling: If you need a ride or are able to offer one, please sign up here: https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/0yfqd3 and click on "add," "join" or "waitlist" depending on your needs.
Accessibility:

Masking (K/N95 or equivalent) required.
Please note that Rabbi Cat will not mask, and will test prior to the event.
Masking will be required on alternating months (see schedule below for more details)
Air filter provided. Windows can be opened if requested.
Space is not wheelchair accessible. 4 steps lead into the home and 4 to the backyard.
There are couches, chairs, and floor pillows for seating.
Please try to be scent-free.
A retriever/labrador dog lives in the home but will not be present. A cat has lived there previously.

Please email marissa@beyttikkun.org if you have questions or other accessibility needs.
Mark your calendars!Monthly In-Person Kabbalat Shabbat Schedule Every Second Friday of the Month
We will be hosting these events every month. Please see the schedule below for future dates. This is subject to change; You will have to register for each event individually

June 13, 2025 - masking optional
Note: No Kabbalat Shabbat in July
August 8, 2025 - masking optional
September 12, 2025 - masking required
October 10, 2025 (Sukkot) - masking optional
November 14, 2025 - masking required
December 12, 2025 - masking optional
January 9, 2026 - masking required
February 13, 2026 - masking optional
March 13, 2026- masking required
April 10, 2026 - masking optional
May 8, 2026 - masking required

There are no upcoming events at this time.

NO Shabbat Service & Torah Study
2025-05-03 09:30 - 12:30
We will resume May 17th - click here

Access Information

Location: Rabbi Cat’s home in Oakland, about 0.5 miles from MacArthur BART Station. Address will be provided once you register.
Accessibility: There are 4 steps to enter the house and 4 steps to the backyard (if people choose to go there.) The bathroom is not wheelchair accessible. There are couches, chairs, and floor pillows for seating. Please try to be scent-free. A retriever/labrador dog lives in the home but will not be present. A cat has lived there previously.
COVID: Masks are optional. Please don’t come if you have any symptoms. Air filter provided. Windows can be opened if requested.
Please email us if you have questions or other accessibility needs.

Music and Meditation - Rosh Chodesh Circle
2025-04-27 16:00 - 17:30
Join Beyt Tikkun’s Monthly Music & Meditation Rosh Chodesh Circle!
Rosh Chodesh marks the start of the Jewish month and the New Moon—a powerful time for renewal and reflection. Our circle weaves together communal singing, guided meditation, teachings, and discussion inspired by the themes of the month and the astrological new moon.
Led by Marissa Munn (they/she)—Beyt Tikkun’s Program & Outreach Manager, Meditation Teacher, and Mindfulness Coach—each gathering features guest musicians who guide the music. Feel free to bring a song to share!Please note: This gathering is held by Anti-Zionist Jews and Allies. All are welcome.Cost: Sliding scale starting at $9. Give what you can—no one will be turned away. Need support? Email Marissa at marissa@beyttikkun.org.
Upcoming Circle:

Date and Time: Sunday, April 27, 4:00-6:00pm
Location: Outdoors in an Oakland Park

Exact location will be emailed after registration
0.3 miles from 19th Street BART
Rain plan will be indoors, masks required in Oakland (near MacArthur BART)

Themes: The Jewish month of Iyar and the New Moon in Taurus
Co-Facilitator: Hyazinth Baumann (they/them) of Jews of the Diaspora

Accessibility:

The park is wheelchair accessible; we will be gathering on the grass
Masks optional

If you have any questions, or are interested in collaborating with Marissa on the musical portion, please reach out to Marissa: marissa@beyttikkun.org. We look forward to creating this meaningful space together.

Shabbat Service & Torah Study | Special Passover Reading
2025-04-19 09:30
Shabbat Services and & Torah Study: Special Passover Reading (Exodus 13:17-15:26)Saturday, April 19thEmeryville, CA & online9:30am Shabbat service // 10:30am Torah study
You can join us either in person or on Zoom for Shabbat services and/or Torah study. If you are in the Bay Area, we’d love to have you join us in person. After Torah study, we enjoy a vegetarian potluck meal together and have an opportunity to deepen our connection with one another. If you are able, please bring a vegetarian dish to share with others. For those joining us online, we invite you to also bring food to eat after the service. We will keep the room open so folks can connect with each other after the service.
A peek into Torah study with us and the parsha reading this week
This week (because we are in the week of Passover) we return to the book of Exodus and the story of our leaving Egypt. We will talk about what it means to be striving for liberation in a time when the power of empire is crashing down upon us.
🕊️ Let’s explore this together through prayer, reflection, and rich conversation.
Replay now available

Access Information

Location: Rabbi Cat’s home in Oakland, about 0.5 miles from MacArthur BART Station. Address will be provided once you register.
Accessibility: There are 4 steps to enter the house and 4 steps to the backyard (if people choose to go there.) The bathroom is not wheelchair accessible. There are couches, chairs, and floor pillows for seating. Please try to be scent-free. A retriever/labrador dog lives in the home but will not be present. A cat has lived there previously.
COVID: Masks are optional. Please don’t come if you have any symptoms. Air filter provided. Windows can be opened if requested.
Please email us if you have questions or other accessibility needs.

Liberation Seder 2025
2025-04-13 17:00 - 21:00
“Thank you SO very much for Beyt Tikkun’s beautiful, rich, deeply relevant, moving seder. You so admirably infused all the seder’s rituals with a Tikkun perspective that really brought to life the message [of tikkun] for us at this time, in this day, highlighting our responsibility to continue to work towards the liberation of us all. Bravo and Thank you🙏🌹!!!” – Julie Oxenberg
We are excited to invite you to join Rabbi Cat Zavis, Musical Director Ami Goodman, and the Beyt Tikkun Community for our Liberation Seder
WHEN: Sunday, April 13th, 2025 – 5:00pm (PDT) (We will begin the online portion at 5:30pm PDT / 8:30pm EDT)
WHERE: Hybrid – On Zoom and in Person in Berkeley, CA
Our Passover community seders have often been a spiritual high point for many of our attendees. They demonstrate how one can be deeply spiritual and also deeply committed to healing and transforming the world (tikkun olam). This Seder is not just for Jews, but for everyone who wishes to recommit to the struggles for liberation and participate in a Jewish ritual that is joyous, politically progressive, environmentally conscious, and spiritually meaningful.
Our Beyt Tikkun community Liberation Seder brings in creative elements including exercises, small group discussions, guided visualizations, song, and dance. We will have a liberation altar(s) to honor and uplift liberation struggles throughout history and in the present. You are invited to bring items to add to the altar. We will share more information about the altars closer to the event. All ages are welcome!
We will be both in person and on Zoom so those of you who cannot join us in person can still participate in a meaningful way. We encourage you to invite friends and family to join you at our seder, whether you participate in person or on Zoom.
Join us to revive your hopeful energies for the struggles ahead. For more information and to register, please click here.
In addition to the traditional ritual foods for the seder, we will also provide a delicious catered vegetarian dinner, with gluten-free and nut-free options available.
There is limited in person space available, please register early to ensure your spot!
We are holding 8 in-person tickets available on a sliding scale for those for whom paying the full amount is not doable. To obtain a reduced price ticket for either in-person or on Zoom, please contact us at rabbi@beyttikkun.org.
** If you are able to donate more, we’d be most grateful. Our costs (the venue, food, staff, etc.) exceed the fees we are charging for the Seder. We are also using this Seder as an fundraiser to help cover our expenses for the remainder of the year before the High Holidays. If you can contribute double or triple the amount above, we’d be most grateful. Any donations above the amounts listed are tax deductible.
Once you register you will receive an email with the Zoom link. Please do not share that link with others.
We hope to see you there!
IN-PERSON ACCESSIBILITY:

Masks are optional and recommended
Fans and/or air filters will be running in indoor spaces
Please attend online if you have respiratory symptoms or are feeling unwell
Wheelchair accessible
0.8 miles from the Downtown Berkeley and North Berkeley BART stations
There is a T-Loop system to enhance audio for those with hearing aids
In addition to the traditional seder food, a vegetarian dinner will be served, with gluten-free and nut-free options

.

Book Group: A 100 Years War on Palestine
2025-04-10 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-03-13 17:30 - 19:30
Beginning Thursday September 12th at 5:30pm PT (8:30pm ET), we will meet once a month on the 2nd Thursday of each month (after the High Holidays we may as a group decide to meet 2x/month) to discuss this book. Rabbi Cat will guide our discussion. Together we will create a safe container to hold our questions, grief, anger, compassion, yearning, and hope. We’d love to have you join us. You can read about the book and purchase through independent bookstores here.
Everyone is welcome. No one turned away for lack of funds. If you want to join us, please email us at rabbi@beyttikkun.org

Shabbat Service & Torah Study | Vayikra
2025-04-05 09:30 - 12:30
Shabbat Services and & Torah Study: Parsha VayikraSaturday, April 5thEmeryville, CA & online9:30am Shabbat service // 10:30am Torah studyRegister Here
You can join us either in person or on Zoom for Shabbat services and/or Torah study. If you are in the Bay Area, we’d love to have you join us in person. After Torah study, we enjoy a vegetarian potluck meal together and have an opportunity to deepen our connection with one another. If you are able, please bring a vegetarian dish to share with others. For those joining us online, we invite you to also bring food to eat after the service. We will keep the room open so folks can connect with each other after the service.
A peek into Torah study with us and the Parsha this week
We begin the book of Leviticus, filled with gory details of sacrifices! The Hebrew word for sacrifice or offerings means to “draw close” - meaning to draw close to the Divine. We are living in a time where we are desecrating the Divine through inhumane acts of shocking proportions. Are there offerings or sacrifices we can or should make to help draw us closer to the Divine to bring forth more divinity in our world?
We hope you can join us for these rich and thought-provoking discussions.

Access Information

Location: Rabbi Cat’s home in Oakland, about 0.5 miles from MacArthur BART Station. Address will be provided once you register.
Accessibility: There are 4 steps to enter the house and 4 steps to the backyard (if people choose to go there.) The bathroom is not wheelchair accessible. There are couches, chairs, and floor pillows for seating. Please try to be scent-free. A retriever/labrador dog lives in the home but will not be present. A cat has lived there previously.
COVID: Masks are optional. Please don’t come if you have any symptoms. Air filter provided. Windows can be opened if requested.
Please email us if you have questions or other accessibility needs.

Weekly Action for Peace
2025-04-01
✊ TAKE ACTION
📅 April 5: National Day of Action
This Saturday, April 5, we’re joining protests nationwide with a clear message:
Hands off our democracy, our future, and our rights!
Donald Trump and Elon Musk act like they own the country—we’re here to say no more.
👉 Click here to find an event near you

🕊️ Avaaz Petition: Demand International Peacekeeping
Now that Trump has made it clear he won’t stop the genocide, an international peacekeeping force is urgently needed to protect innocent lives.
✍️ Sign the petition now

🩺 Doctors Against Genocide: Add Your Voice
Healthcare professionals are calling on elected officials to meet with Doctors Against Genocide and respond to their urgent demands.
📄 Read the demands and sign the letter here

📚 LEARN MORE
🎧 Webinar: The Road Ahead for Pro-Palestinian Activism
Join Rabbi Alissa Wise, Huwaida Arraf, and other movement leaders as they share powerful insights and strategy moving forward.
🎥 Watch the webinar here

Music and Meditation - Rosh Chodesh Circle
2025-03-30 15:00 - 17:00
🎶✨ Music & Meditation Rosh Chodesh Circle ✨🎶
PLEASE NOTE WE HAVE CHANGED THE TIME AND LOCATION DUE TO FORECASTED RAIN
We’re excited to invite you to Beyt Tikkun’s new in-person gathering: a Music and Meditation Rosh Chodesh Circle! This monthly event is a space for community connection through song, reflection, and shared nourishment.
🌙 What is Rosh Chodesh?
Rosh Chodesh marks the beginning of a new month in the Jewish lunar calendar and is traditionally a time for renewal and spiritual reflection.
📅 Event Details:

Note: Location and Time Updated due to forecasted rain on Sunday
Date and Time: Sunday, March 30th, 3-5pm
Location: West Berkeley indoor location

Exact location will be emailed after registration
Approx 1.5 miles from North Berkeley BART and 2 miles from Ashby and Downtown Berkeley BART

Themes: The Jewish month of Nisan and the New Moon in Aries (which is also a Super Moon and partial solar eclipse)

Co-Facilitator: Hyazinth Baumann (they/them)
📖 What to Expect:
🎶 Communal Singing – Begin the evening with soul-nourishing music
🕯 Short Teaching – Reflect on themes from the Jewish month & astrological new moon
🧘‍♀️ Guided Meditation – Deepen your experience through mindfulness
🥗 Vegan Potluck – Stay to share food & connect with the community
We encourage you to bring a song to share and join us for a potluck at the end!
This circle will be led by Marissa Munn (they/she), Beyt Tikkun’s Program & Outreach Manager, who is also a Meditation Teacher & Mindfulness Coach. Each month, Marissa will be joined by a rotating lineup of musicians to lead the musical portion of the gathering. This month, Hyazinth Baumann (they/them) will co-facilitate. Hyazinth is a trans antizionist Jew involved in collaborative ritual programming across the Bay Area. They run Jews of Diaspora, a Bay Area antizionist jewish ritual mailing list.
📢 Please Note: This gathering is held by Anti-Zionist Jews and Allies. All are welcome.

♿ Wheelchair accessible
😷 Masks Required (N95, KN95, KF94 or equivalent)
🔗 Register Below & Donate
Pay what you can – no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
🎒 Please Bring:
✔ Vegan food / snacks / beverages to share for the potluck
✔ Optional: Musical instruments & songs to share
If you have any questions, or are interested in collaborating with Marissa on the musical portion, please reach out to Marissa: marissa@beyttikkun.org.
We look forward to creating this meaningful space together. Come as you are and bring your voice to the circle!

Let’s come together in music, mindfulness, and community. We hope to see you there! 💛🎶

Rabbi Cat’s Musings on Pekudei
2025-03-28
Shabbat Shalom.
(Watch Rabbi Cat’s musings here)
This week’s parsha, Pekudei, tells the story of the Israelites completing the building of the Tabernacle—the Mishkan—a holy dwelling place for the Divine.
With the remnants of the materials, Aaron’s sacred vestments are crafted for his service in the sanctuary. Just as the instructions for the Tabernacle are explicit and exacting, so too are those for these garments: a breastplate, band, shoulder pieces, headpiece—woven with colorful yarns, linen, stones, and more.
But why is all this necessary?
The Mishkan is a remedy. After the sin of the Golden Calf, the people had lost touch with the Divine—and with Moses as their intermediary. The Mishkan was built from the same materials as the Golden Calf. The very gold and linen used in their idolatry are now transformed, repurposed to create a sacred space. The negative energy of the Golden Calf becomes uplifted into Divine connection.
It gave the people a tangible place to feel close to the Divine. Their yearning was real. The Mishkan was a homeopathic remedy—a spiritual repair for how that yearning was misdirected.
I believe Aaron’s vestments are also a remedy—this time, for his own spiritual ailment. He allowed, even participated in, the building of the Golden Calf. Perhaps he didn’t yet have the inner strength to guide the people through their fear and doubt. Perhaps the vestments were intended to help fortify him—so that when he wore them, he felt the self-confidence needed to stand before the Divine on behalf of the people.
Today, we are witnessing a different form of idolatry—one of nation-states.
In Israel and the United States, we see participation in:

Genocide and ethnic cleansing

Silencing of freedom of expression

Attacks on refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers, and anyone daring to stand-up to empire

All of this done in the name of “national” and “religious” security.
Just as fear was stirred among the Israelites, today’s leaders—Jewish and non-Jewish alike—are stirring fear and hatred of the so-called “other.”
Our Torah teaches us that when we fall into idolatry, we need healing and repair.
So I ask:

What homeopathic remedies do we need today?

What strategies will give us the courage to reject false promises of safety built on violence?

How can we challenge the messages that tell us security comes from the slaughter of Palestinians, or from silencing those who dissent?

How do we build a holy place where the Divine may dwell among us once more?

What are the vestments we need to face this moment—with courage and truth?

When I see others being courageous, it becomes the remedy I need to strengthen my own resolve. Lest you think that we’ve become silent and complacent, research has shown that since January 22nd, we’ve seen more than twice as many street protests than took place during the same period eight years ago. In response to police brutality, both in the U.S. and in Israel, people continue to show up and demand liberation and justice for all people. In Gaza, prior to Israel’s resumption of the bombing, Palestinians returned to their homes and from the shattered cement began rebuilding their homes and their lives. The sumud, steadfastness, determination, and courage of Palestinians and people all around the world refusing to succumb to cynicism and despair, insisting on their humanity and dignity and the humanity and dignity of one another is a healing balm that strengthens my capacity and courage.
There are many, many people who need us now—to tap into our inner resources, to stand up, to reject the efforts of those in power who seek to divide us, and to help grow our movement for love, justice, and liberation.
May you find time this Shabbat to connect with the Divine source within and around you. May your heart and soul be nourished, and may you find the inner strength to show up—as your most full and courageous self today and every day.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Cat Zavis

Weekly Action for Peace
2025-03-24
✊ Take Action ✊
We are horrified by the renewed bombing of Gaza, which has killed over 400 civilians, including many innocent children. Under the Trump administration, the intensity of violence is escalating — and we must raise our voices now.
This week, we are joining with Demand Progress in calling on Congress to demand a permanent ceasefire and an end to U.S. support for Netanyahu’s government.
👉 Click here to sign the Demand Progress petition
We are also standing with Code Pink to confront Keren Yarhi-Milo, Dean of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, who previously served as an intelligence analyst for the Israeli occupation forces.
👉 Click here to tell Dean Yarhi-Milo: “Your job is to educate, not suppress students!”
📣 Join Us at International Al-Quds Day
The world is united against Zionism
🗓 Friday, March 28
🕒 3–5 PM
📍 Embarcadero Plaza, San Francisco
Stand in solidarity with people around the globe in calling for justice and liberation for Palestine.
Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb will be speaking at the event.
📚 Explore & Learn More
To understand the growing influence of the Christian Zionist movement and its role in the current crisis, we encourage you to read this powerful piece by journalist Chris Hedges:
📖 “Trump’s Christian Fascists and the War on Palestine” – The Chris Hedges Report
Thank you for standing with us in the pursuit of peace and justice.
With gratitude,
Rabbi Cat Zavis and the Israel/Palestine Social Action Committee

Young Adults Havdalah + Potluck
2025-03-22 17:45 - 20:00
Looking for a vibrant, radical Jewish community? If you’re in your 20s–40s(ish) and in the Bay Area, join Beyt Tikkun for a COVID-cautious in-person Havdalah gathering! We’ll mark the end of Shabbat with soulful ritual, meaningful connection, and a delicious potluck meal. Plus, we want to hear what you’re looking for in a radical Jewish community! If folks are into it, we can stay later and share songs together. 🎶✨
March, 22nd 5:45pm PT – 8:00pm PT
Rabbi Cat’s home in Oakland, about 0.5 miles from MacArthur BART (address provided upon registration).
🌱 Please bring:
🥗 A vegan & gluten-free dish to share.
🎸 Optional: A musical instrument or song (if you’d like to stay and sing!)
Please share with your friends! We can’t wait to gather, connect, and build community with you 💫
In-Person Accessibility Info
😷 COVID Safety: K/N-95 masks required when not eating.
Outdoor eating space available.
Please stay home if you have any symptoms.
Air filter provided, and windows can be opened upon request.
Rabbi Cat will not be masked but will be testing the morning of.
Accessibility:
Entry: 4 steps to enter the house, 4 steps to the backyard if you choose to eat outside
Seating: Couches, chairs, and floor pillows available.
Bathroom: Not wheelchair accessible.
Scent-free space requested.
A retriever/labrador dog lives in the home (but won’t be present), and a cat has previously lived there.
Questions or accessibility needs? Email us with any questions or accessibility needs. We’d love to make this space as welcoming as possible!

Palestinian peace activist Mohamad Jamous in conversation with Rabbi Cat Zavis
2025-03-19 11:30 - 12:30
Want to hear what's happening on the ground in Ramallah and the West Bank? Rabbi Cat Zavis will be in conversation with special guest, Mohamad Jamous, a Palestinian peace activist. We will take questions from the Zoom attendees as well. You don't want to miss this opportunity. We hope to see you there!
When: March 19th @ 11:30am
Where: On Zoom
Mohamad Jamous is a Palestinian peace activist, humanitarian, and community leader from Ramallah, Palestine. He is dedicated to promoting unity between cultures, religions, and nationalities. With over 15 years of experience working with global peace organizations, he has led initiatives to support vulnerable communities and advocate for justice, dignity, and coexistence. His work goes beyond community activism, as he actively participates in humanitarian efforts to support those in need, striving to create real impact despite the challenges facing his homeland. Mohamad has participated in international forums, sharing firsthand insights into life in Palestine while advocating for a more just and peaceful world. His unwavering commitment to humanity, freedom, and cultural preservation continues to drive his mission forward.
You can reach out with any questions to rabbi@beyttikkun.org. We’d love to hear your feedback.
You can watch a short clip of Rabbi Cat speaking with Mohamad here.
All funds raised will be shared with Mohamad and his community and Beyt Tikkun. Please be as generous as possible. No one turned away for lack of funds; please email us at rabbi@beyttikkun.org.

Replay available below

Weekly Action for Peace
2025-03-17
Mahmoud Khalil: Demand His Immediate Release
Under the Trump administration, the level of repression is unprecedented and unconstitutional. Recently, Palestinian student Mahmoud Khalil, a Green Card holder, had his constitutional rights traumatically violated. He was literally disappeared by ICE for 24 hours and is still being held in custody, far from his family in Louisiana.
📢 Stand Against This Injustice
Help us oppose this draconian precedent and demand Mahmoud Khalil’s immediate release.
👉 Click here to take action
For a deeper understanding of this case and its broader implications, read an analysis by Rabbi Brant Rosen of Tzedek Chicago Synagogue.
📖 Read the blog here
🌍 Explore & Learn More
Virtual Tour: Umm al-Fahm – The ‘48 City of Resistance
Join us for a virtual tour of Umm al-Fahm, which the late Naji al-Ali called “the code name for Palestine.”
🗓 Date: Wednesday, March 26
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
💻 Format: Virtual tour followed by discussion & Q&A
✍ Register Here
📢 Stay Engaged. Stay Informed. Make a Difference.
For more updates and events, stay connected with us.
📩 Have questions? Contact us at Rabbi@beyttikkun.org

Shabbat Service & Torah Study | Ki Tisa
2025-03-15 09:30 - 12:30
Shabbat Services and & Torah Study: Parsha Ki Tisa
Saturday, March 15th
Emeryville, CA & online
9:30am Shabbat service // 10:30am Torah study
Register Here
You can join us either in person or on Zoom for Shabbat services and/or Torah study. If you are in the Bay Area, we’d love to have you join us in person. After Torah study, we enjoy a vegetarian potluck meal together and have an opportunity to deepen our connection with one another. If you are able, please bring a vegetarian dish to share with others. For those joining us online, we invite you to also bring food to eat after the service. We will keep the room open so folks can connect with each other after the service.
A peek into Torah study with us and the parsha this week
This week, we will discuss the Torah parshat Ki Tisa. In this parsha, the Israelites build the Golden Calf. We will explore:

Why the people may have wanted or needed an idol.
What they hoped it would replace or how it would serve them.
Whether there are any similarities today.

We will also discuss Purim and the Book of Esther, which is read during Purim, taking place this week on March 13th-14th.
Purim is traditionally a time of joy and celebration. We are taught that Purim reveals how the boundaries between good and evil are blurred and confusing—a reminder that we too can become the oppressor.
In the Book of Esther, particularly the often-omitted last chapter, Esther orders the genocide of an entire people, believing that murdering the other is the only way to save the Jews. This raises deep and relevant questions for today.
Some Israelis attack Palestinians during Purim, believing that the mandate to wipe out the other to protect Jews is justified both biblically and ethically.
In our discussion, we will explore:

The meaning of this story.
Whether we should read the Book of Esther or celebrate Purim.
And more.

We hope you can join us for these rich and thought-provoking discussions.

Access Information

Location: Rabbi Cat’s home in Oakland, about 0.5 miles from MacArthur BART Station. Address will be provided once you register.
Accessibility: There are 4 steps to enter the house and 4 steps to the backyard (if people choose to go there.) The bathroom is not wheelchair accessible. There are couches, chairs, and floor pillows for seating. Please try to be scent-free. A retriever/labrador dog lives in the home but will not be present. A cat has lived there previously.
COVID: Masks are optional. Please don’t come if you have any symptoms. Air filter provided. Windows can be opened if requested.
Please email us if you have questions or other accessibility needs.

Weekly Action for Peace: Justice Cannot Wait: Call for an Arms Embargo & Student Protection
2025-03-10
We need your voice today. The U.S. must take immediate action to uphold human rights, stop arms sales to Israel, and push for a just peace. Please take a moment to email your representatives and demand the following:
✅ Vote YES on S.J.RES.20 and H.J.RES.68 to block the transfer of 10,000 artillery shells to Israel.
✅ Support an immediate arms embargo to halt all U.S. weapons shipments.
✅ Enforce U.S. laws that prohibit military funding for human rights violations.
✅ Push for full ceasefire compliance and ensure unobstructed humanitarian aid reaches those in need.
👉 Click here to email your representatives now.
Explore & Learn More
🌍 Nobel Peace Prize Nominees: Webinars Next Week
Three activists—Issa Amro, Jeff Halper, and Mazin Qumsiyeh—have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for their courageous work in Palestine and Israel. Join us for two special webinars:
📅 Wednesday, March 12 (Issa & Jeff) – Register Here
📅 Thursday, March 13 (Mazin) – Register Here
📚 New Online Course: Fighting Fascism at Home & Abroad
Join us for a six-session online course exploring the link between rising fascism in the U.S. and the struggle for a free Palestine. Learn how to build a powerful movement capable of confronting injustice everywhere.
✍️ Click here to register.
Demand Justice for Palestinian Student Activist Mahmoud Khalil
Columbia University, which recently published a new protocol on its plans to cooperate with ICE, has repeatedly targeted Mahmoud Khalil for his Palestinian identity and outspoken activism. Over the past 17 months, he has faced harassment for his role as a lead negotiator during the Gaza Solidarity Encampment and for speaking out in media interviews and press conferences.
Columbia’s continued collaboration with federal agencies and outside partisan institutions has enabled this injustice. Like many other Arab and Muslim students, Khalil has been the target of Zionist harassment campaigns, fueled by doxxing websites like Canary Mission, designed to instill fear in pro-Palestine activists and silence dissent.
We demand the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil from DHS detention and a reversal of Columbia University’s protocol permitting ICE on campus without a warrant.
✍️ Add your name to demand justice.
Thank you for taking action. Together, we can demand accountability, protect human rights, and work toward lasting peace.

Rabbi Cat’s Musings on Tetzaveh
2025-03-07
Shabbat Shalom.
(Watch Rabbi Cat’s musings here)
Last week, Moses was given instructions on how to build the holy sanctuary, the mishkan, for the Divine. This week, God instructs Moses on all the vestments and adornments needed for the priests, Aaron and his sons. He is told to make these vestments of dignity and beauty (kavod and tiferet).
In kabbalah, tiferet signifies a balance of the flow of chesed, loving-kindness, with the strength and clarity of gevurah, boundaries. These two together—chesed and gevurah in the form of tiferet—help ensure a proper measure of Divine light and life-force. It is a place of compassionate action, fierce love.
One of the vestments is the breastplate of mishpat. This breastplate sits on the chest, over the heart. It is translated in the parsha as “decision,” but mishpat means judgment. The root letters for mishpat are משפ (mem, shin, pey).
In the book of Genesis, God tells Abram that He is going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham, appalled that God would destroy an entire city if there are some righteous people living there, says to God, “Shall not the judge of all the earth deal justly?” The root for judge and justly is mishpat.
The priest goes before God seeking judgment or justice on behalf of the people. I read this as a reminder to the priest (and to each of us) that when they come before the Divine with the breastplate of judgment over their heart, they are to remember to balance in their heart the qualities of dignity and beauty. The priest (and each of us) needs to stand before God like Abram did—advocating for humanity with fierce love and compassion.
In this parsha, God also instructs Moses to command the Israelites to bring oil for kindling lamps eternally (ner tamid). The instructions continue: these lamps shall burn from evening to morning. In addition to the lamps, there shall also be a “perpetual offering” (korban tamid) two times a day, morning and evening.
Why? What might be the significance of lighting candles every night to burn until morning and making an offering twice a day?
One of the words for sacrifice or offering is korban, which means to draw close or near. Sacrifices are a way to draw close to the Divine.
Now that the people have experienced their physical liberation from Egypt, seen the miracles, and are wandering lost and scared in the desert, they need another way to connect with the Divine. Rather than God manifesting through amazing miracles, the people are being encouraged to keep faith.
God provides an embodied way for them to do so each and every day—draw close to God in the morning and evening through sacrifice (which we now do through prayer) and light the candles every night to burn through the morning, sustaining the people’s connection to God’s light and life-force through the night.
In these incredibly distressing times, when the indwelling presence of God, Shechinah, seems so absent, perhaps this is a time for us to step up and build a holy place for the Divine to dwell.
To stand before the Divine and seek justice with fierce love and compassion.
To find ways each and every day to draw close to the Divine, so we can manifest Divine holiness in our lives and in our world. One way we can do this is through daily acts of resistance and action.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Cat Zavis

Urgent Actions & Upcoming Event – Take a Stand for Justice
2025-03-03
🔴 Action 1: URGENT – Block Weapons to Israel
The Senate will soon vote on blocking weapons to Israel as Gaza rebuilds and tanks roll into the West Bank.
For the first time in 20 years, Israeli tanks are advancing through the occupied West Bank. Just yesterday, Israeli forces killed two 13-year-old Palestinian children. These horrifying escalations continue as Israel violates ceasefire terms in Gaza and obstructs rebuilding efforts.
We cannot look away while our tax dollars enable these atrocities.
📢 Tell your senators to vote YES on Senator Bernie Sanders’ bill, S.J.RES.20, which aims to block 10,000 155mm artillery shells from being sent to Israel—the same weapons fueling violence and displacement across Palestine.
👉 Click here to contact your senators now.
🚨 Action 2: Stop Mike Huckabee’s Confirmation
Tell your senators to oppose the confirmation of Mike Huckabee for U.S. Ambassador to Israel. His record makes it clear why he must be blocked:
❌ He actively denies the existence of the Palestinian people
❌ He supports the Israeli government’s violent forced displacement of Palestinians
📢 Send a letter to your senators today!
👉 Click here to take action.
🎬 Explore & Learn More: Online Film Salon
Join us for an online film salon on March 16, 2025, focusing on:
🎞️ The Consequences of Zionism on the Lives of Ordinary People Living in the Holy Land
Prior to the event, you’ll receive access to related films, followed by a panel discussion featuring Israeli, Palestinian, and American panelists.
🗣️ Moderator: Seth Morrison, member of Beyt Tikkun Synagogue
📅 Date: March 16, 2025
📌 Register here: 👉 Click here to sign up.
📢 Local CA Action: Stop the Censorship of Ethnic Studies
A dangerous new bill, AB 1468, has been introduced in the California legislature that would censor the teaching of anti-Arab racism, anti-Palestinian racism, and Islamophobia in high school Ethnic Studies classes.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has launched a petition urging the legislature to oppose AB 1468. As CAIR states:
“AB 1468 is a deeply problematic bill that seeks to undermine Ethnic Studies in California by stripping control from educators and scholars, imposing political censorship, and erasing critical histories.”
📢 Take action now: Sign the CAIR petition
The bill, introduced by Assembly members Rick Zbur and Dawn Addis, originates from the Jewish Legislative Caucus (JLC) and mandates that all Ethnic Studies curriculum and materials be approved by the State Board of Education with input from a newly formed “advisory” committee. Given the pro-Israel bias of the bill’s backers, discussions of Israeli apartheid, ethnic cleansing, settler colonialism, and genocide will likely be prohibited under the guise of combatting “antisemitism.”
Local school districts would be required to comply—or face legal consequences.
JVP Bay Area and other JVP chapters will be mobilizing over the summer to stop this bill.
📢 Sign the CAIR petition now: 👉 Click here
For further information on the struggle for Ethnic Studies, explore the following:

Article in California Politico: “Ethnic Studies Clash Coming” (02/24/2025) – An overview of AB 1468.
Coalition of Liberated Ethnic Studies – A progressive Ethnic Studies curriculum providing an example of what genuine Ethnic Studies should look like.

In solidarity,
Rabbi Cat Zavis & the Beyt Tikkun Israel/Palestine Social Action Committee

Shabbat Services and & Torah Study: Terumah
2025-03-01 09:30 - 12:30
Shabbat Services and & Torah Study: Terumah
Saturday, March, 1st
Emeryville, CA & online
9:30am Shabbat service // 10:30am Torah study
Register Here

You can join us either in person or on Zoom for Shabbat services and/or Torah study. If you are in the Bay Area, we’d love to have you join us in person. After Torah study, we enjoy a vegetarian potluck meal together and have an opportunity to deepen our connection with one another. If you are able, please bring a vegetarian dish to share with others. For those joining us online, we invite you to also bring food to eat after the service. We will keep the room open so folks can connect with each other after the service.
A peek into Torah study with us and the parsha this week
We’ve left Egypt and continue on our liberation journey in the desert. We have received the 10 speech acts and some concrete laws to help us live together as a community. This week we read parshat Terumah. In this parsha, we are given the first instructions for building a sanctuary in which the Divine can dwell. The Divine tells Moses to speak to the Israelites and tell them to bring gifts to the Divine. Interestingly, this is not a requirement, but rather an invitation – only those whose heart is so motivated to do so. The word for “gift” is terumah. The root of that word is resh, vav, mem (רום), which means to uplift. In other words, you are invited to bring a gift to help build the sanctuary for the Divine to dwell and in so doing, you are uplifted. You give the gift to uplift yourself, to draw yourself closer to the Divine. If we participate in building a sanctuary for Divine presence to dwell, we end up being uplifted.

This Shabbat marks the first day of the month of Adar. We are taught that when Adar arrives, we are to cultivate joy. (Babylonian Talmud, Ta’anit 29a) Even in the face of struggle and difficulties, it is upon us to cultivate joy. Joy can help us navigate these challenging times and stay engaged.

As we try in our movements and in our lives to build a holy world worthy of Divine presence, a world where all life is seen and treated as a manifestation of the Divine, what is your unique gift that you want to contribute from your heart? And how might that help you cultivate joy in your life?

We hope you will join us either in person or on Zoom for spiritually meaningful prayers and a rich discussion.

Location: Rabbi Cat’s home in Oakland, about 0.5 miles from MacArthur BART Station. Address will be provided once you register.
Accessibility: There are 4 steps to enter the house and 4 steps to the backyard (if people choose to go there.) The bathroom is not wheelchair accessible. There are couches, chairs, and floor pillows for seating. Please try to be scent-free. A retriever/labrador dog lives in the home but will not be present. A cat has lived there previously.
COVID: Masks are optional. Please don’t come if you have any symptoms. Air filter provided. Windows can be opened if requested.
Please email us if you have questions or other accessibility needs.
rabbi@beyttikkun.org
