b'Featured Impact StoryEmbracing All That Jewish Life Has to Offer Well before becoming parents, David Rak and Oren Henry were already active and engaged members in the San Francisco Jewish community. Both are part of the Jewish Pride Fund, one of the Federations giving circles where members help fund organizations that work in Jewish and LGBTQ+ spaces in the Bay Area, nationally, and in Israel. David serves on the Federations board. And Oren, a Wexner Heritage Program alum, serves on the Keshet board to secure equality for LGBTQ+ people in all facets of Jewish life. So naturally, when they had Maya it joyfully presented additional opportunities to broaden their circle within their community and explorelocal Jewish resources, our only constraints their Jewish journey in new ways.have been time and our daughters nap schedule! We look forward to taking further David and Oren are rekindling their childhoodadvantage of Bay Area Jewish life, and now memories while creating new ones as a familyin-person as Maya, and hopefully, our family by subscribing Maya to PJ Library. Mere weeksgrows, said David. The pair also lead a new after the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyoneparents chavurah as part of the BBayit to shelter in placePJ Library became one ofprogram at Emanu-El, designed to connect the first Jewish experiences that David andmembers through small affinity groups. Oren shared with their infant daughter, bringing much-needed delightful squeals ofDavid and Oren agree their partaking in the excitement when receiving a new book in theJewish Community has enhanced their mail each month. Both fathers loverelationships both with Jewish organizations readingand sometimes sing books withand with people in personally meaningful Maya on their laps so that she can share inways. Jump right in; you have nothing to lose their love for Jewish holidays and traditions.and will find how inclusive and welcoming the They recently took it a step further, celebratingBay Area Jewish community can be, no matter her first PJ Library book birthday!your knowledge or depth of connection to Judaism or how your family looks, added Early on, the two dads embraced every facetOren. of Jewish life with baby Maya, taking advantage of the plethora of virtual programs, online gatherings, and live-streamed Shabbat and holiday services. With no shortage of 13'