Each event serves a purpose, and the success of that event can be measured by how closely it serves its purpose. Of course, events should be fun, and well-attended, and positively remembered, but above all else they must fulfill whatever goal they were intended to address. Last week's "Vodkas and Latkes" event at the East Bay JCC was a fun event that didn't serve any discernible purpose. I danced, and ate, and saw several Jewish friends, and I even met some new ones, but it was unclear why we were all there. True, the Jewish vibe was strong. The event's coordinators, like JCC volunteer and ticket-taker Kim Carter, enthusiastically greeted attendees, and the Jewish tone was immediately evident. On our tape of the Chanukah blessings, all of the attendees were singing with vigor, and they appeared truly excited to light the candles. Either attendees are active Jews who enjoy the traditions, or they reemember them fondly from their past, and they're eager to re-engage with them. Either way, the event attracted its target audience, but the vibe wasn't quite right. The music was a little too loud for mingling, yet too soft for dancing, and the song selections didn't inspire anybody to get groovy. The layout of...
Continue reading Revel Without a Cause.
