Berkeley Hillel Jewish Student Center is a community center and synagogue for Jewish students at UC Berkeley. It has various groups that focus on Jewish issues of social change, Israeli self-determination, Hebrew culture and religious life. Visit the website for a full calendar of events.
Even in a good economy, homeless youth face special and formidable challenges in finding employment. The interfaith organization Youth Spirit Artworks helps young people ages 16-25 from homeless and low-income backgrounds face these challenges by providing them with job training in arts and eco-friendly careers. Its website provides an easy way for those interested in supporting the organization's efforts to donate funds via PayPal.
This is the current mailing address for the Berkeley West Edge Opera. The renowned Berkeley West Edge Opera is presently directed by Mark Streshinsky and performs in El Cerrito, California. Plays range from the well-known to the lesser-known; for example, the 2010 season included Xerxes and an adaptation of Carmen called the Carmen Chronicles. Every subscription purchased grants a free guest pass.
The Fong Optometry and Health Sciences Library offers a huge collection of academic books and journals. Priority is given to UC students and faculty, but anyone is allowed to access the collection. There is a photocopier inside the library that can be used to make copies. Those wishing to place a textbook on reserve should make sure to include the course number and instructor name for the class. The library is on the fourth floor of Minor Hall.
For East Bay residents interested in all things French, the Alliance Française is an excellent community resource. It offers French lessons, maintains a French video and book library, sponsors visits for guest lecturers and holds frequent French-themed cultural events. Membership is affordable and open to people with all levels of French-speaking ability.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church is associated with the national Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS). The church holds Sunday services in both English and Ethiopian at 10am and 5pm, respectively. Sunday Bible study classes are also available.
The Claremont branch of the Berkeley Public Library offers thousands of fiction and non-fiction books, a particularly large collection of mystery novels and travel guides, as well as numerous magazines and newspapers. A public meeting room is available to local residents for small gatherings. Numerous events are held each week, including children’s story time.
Since 1992, the Labor Project has been working with unions and community groups to advocate for family-friendly workplaces. Some of the causes for which the group advocates include rights for breastfeeding moms, flexible leave policies and strong paid family leave protections. Its victories benefit both working families and the unions that are strengthened by positive results from organizing.
This award-winning political research nonprofit shows the connection between money and politics to inform voters and protect the public interest. It tracks various groups' donations to particular candidates and those candidates' subsequent votes on issues affecting the donors. Currently, it tracks contributions to the US Congress and to the California legislature, though it hopes to expand to other states.
The Albany-Berkeley Soccer Club (ABSC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching kids ages 4 through 19 of all ability levels to learn and play soccer. The organization has been running soccer programs for over 30 years and is a member of the Alameda-Contra Costa Youth Soccer League.
Families can register their child with the club and matches are organized by volunteers. The club has registration online for team events, and games occur in the fall and spring.
This is the Bay Area office of Pacific Legacy, which helps to preserve cultural history as well as helping companies comply with local and national preservation laws. It offers archaeological, research, and environmental consulting experience to private companies and various government branches.
The Long Haul InfoShop hosts political and social events, sponsors a lending library and provides a computer resource center for zine creation, as well as office and meeting spaces for grassroots activists.
Community Energy Services Corporation (CESC) is both a bonded and licensed general contractor and a non-profit organization intent on creating a more sustainable future through the use of responsible sources of energy and green building improvements. East Bay residents can ask them for environmental audits, solar panel installation and advice about controlling asthma triggers for a reduced price.
