Gershon Albert News Today

Days before the grand opening of its 18,000-square-foot plant in North Berkeley, Boichik Bagels announced a change to its kosher status.

The latest single from Zusha is “Niggun Hodaah” by Oakland’s very own Rabbi Gershon Albert. Here’s how his infectious, joyful tune caught the ear of the hipster Hasidic musical duo.

The Jewish News of Northern California

The Jewish News of Northern California

Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Celebrates Gala By JLNJ Staff | May 20, 2021 (Courtesy of Yeshiva University) On Tuesday, April 27, the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) celebrated its annual gala virtually, allowing rabbis from the globe-spanning RIETS alumni community to join in celebration of their yeshiva. Highlights of the evening included a special tribute to Rabbi Hyman Arbesfeld, z’’l, a RIETS musmach and benefactor, on the on...

Majesty and humility. These two words have been swirling through my mind. After consulting with health experts who confirmed my role as a community educator, I received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Moscone Center in San Francisco on March 10. The experience was breathtaking. Standing in an incredibly-well organized series of lines, having my appointment registered through a QR code, and watching the dozens of volunteers and healthcare workers vaccinate hundreds of humans within t...

We in the temperate Bay Area do not experience the kind of deep winter freeze typically found back east or, now, even in Texas. But after a year of pandemic lockdown, separated from friends and family, cooped up with the kids, the cats and Zoom, we can state with confidence that a thaw is coming. Coronavirus cases nationwide are plummeting. Vaccination rates are rising. Congress is soon to pass a giant rescue package that should significantly bolster the economy. No, we’re not at the end of t...

Among Purim’s traditions, perhaps the most well known is the Purim spiel, a theatrical retelling of the Book of Esther that can be pointed, satirical, parodic or just downright silly, depending on the community and the year. Often, Purim spiels use the story of Esther and Haman as a way of commenting on or joking about current events and the state of the world. So, almost one year into the pandemic and only a month and a half since a violent insurrection at the Capitol, what are we ready to l...

Honors & Awards Sheri Greenawald Sheri Greenawald has been awarded the San Francisco Opera Medal in recognition of years of service. She made her debut with S.F. Opera in 1978 and went on to play a number of leading roles in the company. Since 2002, Greenawald, who is retiring this month, has been the S.F. Opera Center director and the S.F.-based Merola Opera program artistic director. “On Sunday, Nov. 11, 1978, a house debut was made by a young Marzelline in ‘Fidelio,’” Matthew Shilvoc...