For many New Yorkers, H&H Bagels were the gold standard, the very height of bagel perfection to which none other compared. But they went out of business in 2011 and were mourned by many. Now several years of ongoing experimentation have resulted in something pretty darn close. A top-notch New...
Valentine Erman, a Parisienne pastry chef, brings her experiences of French babkas to the Bay with Braid Bakery. With six babka roll flavors, a babka cake, a babka pie, and consistent new challah variations, Braid Bakery is sure to be a new Ashkenazi hit. Braid’s babka rolls are also available...
Workshops in all two-dimensional media, including collage, painting, drawing, print making, and the art of paper cuts. A and MFA, Wayne State University. Elementary school teacher. Designs book jackets. Taught art at Solomon Schechter Middle School, Newton, MA for two years, and at college in Michigan for seven years.
Stuart Brotman, bass, basy (cello), tilinca and baraban (poik), has been an accomplished performer, arranger and recording artist in the ethnic music field for over 50 years. He has been a moving force in the klezmer revival since its beginning, and has defined klezmer bass (“It’s a large instrument that...
The Collection's focus is on the Yiddish-language musical stage, and includes many photographs of performers (often in costume) and composers, and, not infrequently, scenes from theatrical productions. Also included in the collection are art songs, Hebrew and Yiddish language folk songs, and religious music, notably from the cantorial repertoire. Notable...
Klezmer performances by a multi-reed instrumentalist who has played with The Gonifs, Klezmorim, and KlezX.
Bubbala’s is a Jewish deli providing fresh bagel platters, briskets, rugelach, latkes, schnitzel, blintzes, and many other Ashkenazi and diasporic classics. They also offer catering for Jewish holidays. Per The J about their Fall 2024 opening, "Bubbala’s will be open for breakfast and lunch, with a brunch menu available on...
Band led by Gerry Tenney available for klezmer performances, weddings, bar/bas mitzveh parties, community celebrations. Klezmer, Yiddish folk songs and instrumentals, Yiddish and Yinglish versions of rock & roll songs, and original compositions.
Yael Chaver is a native of Israel and a long-time resident of Berkeley. She holds a Ph.D. in Yiddish from U.C. Berkeley, and recently retired from that institution after seventeen years as a lecturer in Yiddish language, literature, and culture for the Center for Jewish Studies and the Department of...
Lecturers, Yiddish Language Teachers and Translators / East Bay
Good for linguistically-inclined beginners, but not for absolute beginners. Search online for this book. KlezCalifornia does not sell it.
PERFORMING Flute Solo or Flute and Harp for weddings, concerts, background music, or other occasions. Klezmer and other Jewish styles, classical, pop. TEACHING Teaches all types of Jewish and classical music for flute, piccolo, amd recorder; and music theory. Ages five to adult. Online and in person. Has a degree...
Sherith Israel is a Reform congregation in San Francisco that sometimes presents klezmer and Yiddish concerts.
Museum dedicated to celebrating Jewish culture, history, art, and ideas. Some exhibits present Yiddish culture. Occasional performances. Shop for exhibition-related catalogs, selected Judaica, engaging books, and thoughtful gifts. All sales support the Museum's educational mission. Breakfast and lunch available at Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen.
Ashkenazic Food, Other Resources, Retail Stores in the Bay Area / San Francisco
For those who can already speak rudimentary Yiddish. Seven Mondays, 7/17 - 8/28, 7-8:30pm Pacific Time on Zoom. You may register even after the course has begun. Stress in this class will be placed on interactive conversation with the instructor and among the students (almost) entirely in Yiddish. I will...
Yiddish Classes in (or online from) the Bay Area, Yiddish Classes Online / Online
Contrary to its name, Crazy Block Cheesecakes in Oakland, opened in March 2025, has more than cheesecakes. It is also famous for its brisket (available in a sandwich on Grand Bakery challah) and crispy, dense latkes, though they have a rotating menu of 160 flavors of New York-style cheesecake. Writing...
Organic…Hand-rolled…Boiled…Wood-fired…Cultured butter…Cream cheese…Made in-house from local, sustainably-raised Bay Area agriculture. Closed in December 2024, reopening soon under new ownership.
"Welcome to Union Square's oldest Jewish Deli, a charming 1952 diner known for its breakfast and generous portions. A family-run establishment along Theater Row, with a nostalgic atmosphere and horseshoe counter—the last of its kind on the West Coast—invites you to savor a taste of history. Founder David Apfelbaum once...
Weddings, bar/bas mitzveh parties, community gatherings, parties, concerts. Energetic and soulful klezmer and Romanian renditions; Israeli dances. Fidl, viola, accordion, cello/bass, drums.
Native speaker who teaches Yiddish language. Leads Yiddish literature classes (in translation) through JCC Sonoma County, which will resume when participants can once again meet in person.