Riley Isaac Newfield will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday May 25, 2019 at Kehilla Synagogue in Oakland, CA. We hope you will join us in honoring Riley as he takes this next step in his relationship to Judaism, his family, and our community.

We are overjoyed to share this experience with each of you - you who have known us forever, you who helped us survive Cambridge and toddlerhood, you who taught Riley how to read English and Hebrew, you who join us at the Shabbat dinner table every month, you who bring out the mensch and the headbanger in our boy, you who make all our lives full and rich and worth it.

This website was created to help share details about Riley’s Bar Mitzvah weekend. If you can’t find what you are looking for here, let us know!

Friday May 24, 2019

6:00 PM

China Village

1335 Solano Ave, Albany

Dinner for Out-of-Town Guests and our Family (you know who you are)

Saturday May 25, 2019

10:00AM-12:30PM

[Please arrive no later than 9:45AM so we can get started at 10AM]

Kehilla Community Synagogue

1300 Grand Ave, Piedmont CA 94610

A Bar Mitzvah isn’t something you have, it is something you become. This experience is a culmination of the work Riley has been doing all year to learn about himself in relation to his Judaism and the world. Services will begin at 10AM. Please arrive a little early (9:45 at the latest) to get a good seat and get yourself comfortable. We will provide kippot for anyone who would like to cover their head. Our synagogue is SCENT FREE - please do not wear perfumes or other potent lotions. We ask that all cell phones be turned off during the service.

Our synagogue is known far and wide for its ruach (that’s Hebrew for spirit). There will be music. There will be dancing. There will be lots and lots of singing. There will be dancing to music while singing. You are welcome to participate in all or none of the above. Feel free to move about the sanctuary during the Bar Mitzvah, especially if you’d like to get close to the Torah. Or to Riley.

Our synagogue does not have a dress code. Please wear what makes you comfortable and happy. That’s what we’ll be doing.

After services, join us for a Kiddush luncheon in the social hall below the sanctuary. We’ll have food and beverages and all the time you need to schmooze.

Party at the Urban Farm!

Urban Adamah

1151 Sixth Street, Berkeley, 94710

5:30-10:00 PM

Urban Adamah is a Berkeley educational farm and community center that integrates Judaism with environmentalism and activism. We love hanging out at this farm and they are going to help us party like rockstars. We’ve got Fists of Flour providing pizza and salad and tons of snacks and dessert. There will be beverages by Fieldwork and a hora. Pinball! A fire pit! Plus a DJ dance party (with some rock and roll for the Bar Mitzvah boy) to rival all dance parties. Please join us for the fun!

What to wear: Dress code is whatever you want but Riley requests that you wear your favorite concert tee.  If you don’t have one (why don’t you have one?), we have found some delightful items at Target. Also, bring a jacket or sweatshirt. It doesn’t matter how warm the day has been, the nights can cool off fast.

Parking: There is a small parking lot attached to the Farm and we are reserving several spots for our older guests. Otherwise you can park on the streets around Urban Adamah. We strongly recommend carpooling and ride-sharing (Lyft / Uber).

Sunday Brunch

Our House

733 Key Route Blvd between Portland and Washington

10am

We are hosting Sunday brunch for family and out-of-towners. Doors open at 10am and we’ll have enough coffee and carbs to keep you going until your next meal. No pressure - if you’d rather eat at one of the local spots or take a picnic on a hike our feelings will not be hurt