Enrich your life. Cultivate health and resilience. Discover joy. Experience ancient wisdom. Create new pathways for your personal well-being.
The PJCC is committed to both Wellness and vibrant Jewish living. SHALEM: The Jewish Wellness Initiative melds these two core missions by offering wellness programs infused with Jewish wisdom and practice.
Shalem means wholeness, and Jewish wisdom has a great deal to offer anyone who seeks to live a healthy, resilient life with a joyful sense of balance and well-being.
From ancient teachings to modern-day practices, Jewish wisdom encourages us to cultivate qualities—such as gratitude, joy, compassion, and mindfulness, as well as physical wellness.
When we engage in practices to enhance our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being we are shalem: whole in body, heart mind and spirit.
Jewish Wellness offerings are organized around the PJCC’s integrated approach to wellness focusing on Nourish, Move and Engage activities.
Nourish your body and mind with wholesome foods and with practices that promote healing, energy, improved concentration and stress relief.
Move your body for greater physical strength, flexibility, stamina, balance, and resilience.
Engage your body, mind, heart and spirit for increased joy, wholeness, gratitude, intellectual and spiritual understanding, wisdom, community connection, and meaningful relationships.
Explore our Jewish Wellness offerings below!
Join Rabbi Lavey Derby and Julie Emden as we explore how to experience and support Middot, personal and spiritual qualities, through these 10-minute meditation and yoga practices infused with Jewish Wisdom. Listen to our podcasts today.
Friday, October 11 • 6:30–8:30 pm • Board Room • $20
Join Rabbi Lavey Derby for an intimate Shabbat dinner. For a couple of hours, we’ll put down our mobile devices and set aside deadlines and duties, enjoying the company of friends old and new and reconnecting with tradition over candles, wine, and challah. This will be followed by a beautifully prepared, catered meal, allowing us to partake in good food and good company as we relax into the sweetness of Shabbat.
Saturday, November 9 • 3:30–5:00 pm • Classroom AB • Free
Gather around a table as we tell stories that touch the heart and sing songs of both joy and yearning. This joyous gathering is known as a tisch (table, in Yiddish) and is a lovely way to celebrate with friends and community as Shabbat flows into a new week.
Let’s enjoy delicious snacks and spirits together! 21+ please.
Sunday, October 20 • 3:00–4:30 pm • Peninsula Sinai Congregation
Join Tracey and Scott Green and explore yoga practices infused with Jewish wisdom. Classes are held at Peninsula Sinai Congregation, 499 Boothbay Ave., Foster City. Please register through PSC at 650.349.2816 or roassia@peninsulasinai.org. Free!
Sunday, November 17 • 4:30–6:00 pm • Peninsula Sinai Congregation
Join Tracey and Scott Green and explore yoga practices infused with Jewish wisdom. Classes are held at Peninsula Sinai Congregation, 499 Boothbay Ave., Foster City. Please register through PSC at 650.349.2816 or roassia@peninsulasinai.org. Free!
Join a friendly, social group for 2–4 mile hikes in San Mateo County or San Francisco. Hikes are usually held on the first Sunday of the month. (All are welcome, but hikes are geared towards those in their 60’s and 70’s.) For details, email Dave Cohen or call 650.574.2558.
Thursdays, weekly • 1:30-2:30 PM • Board Room • Free
Draw inspiration from the Jewish spiritual path and cultivate greater awareness and inner peace through the practice of mindfulness meditation. Instructor: Rabbi Lavey Derby.
Fridays, Fall series: September 27–December 13 • Two Sessions: 9:30-10:30 am and 10:45-11:45 • Board Room • Free for Center & Community Members/$80 Public
Join family and friends to celebrate Shabbat. Participate in a playful community atmosphere with music, creative prayer, and connect with Shabbat in a new and energetic way. Nurture family bonds and build connections to Jewish life and values. Registration is required. Call 650.378.2703 or visit the PJCC Welcome Center to register.
Instructor: Jeni Markowitz Clancy
Sunday, October 13 • 4:00 – 6:00 pm • $5
Come share Sukkot with the PJCC & Peninsula Temple Beth El! Celebrate in the beautiful PJCC sukkah, enjoy music, food, crafts and a dynamic family concert.
Sunday, November 3 • 3:00 – 5:00 pm • Hamlin Garden • Free
Sing and dance your way into November with the Bay Area’s own Jewish music star, Isaac Zones! Join Tawonga’s Down the Mountain program, Jewish Baby Network, and the PJCC Nest community for an afternoon of music, gratitude, friends, and fun. Best for children ages 0-36 months and their families.
Sunday, November 17 • 3:00 – 5:45 pm • $36 per couple/$18 per individual
Expectant parents will learn about rituals during labor and delivery, choosing a Hebrew name, bris, naming and welcoming ceremonies, Jewish perspectives on parents, and more with Jewish Baby Network’s Carol Booth, PJCC Family Educator Jeni Clancy, and local rabbis.
See the Pink @ the PJCC page for more information about ongoing programs. For more information, please contact our Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist, Vicki McGrath at vmcgrath@pjcc.org or 650.378.2727.
Select Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 – 11:00 am • The Nest at the PJCC Preschool
Drop-in for a morning of community, conversation and companionship at our weekly Coffee Talks. Connect with the parent community and local parenting resources. Join us as we sip, schmooze & chat about parenting topics from toddler limit setting to sleep support & potty training. Learn more about The Nest!
