Hello,
We are grateful for a wonderful community and wish you and your family peace, love and health this thanksgiving. As you celebrate this favorite American Holiday in a safe and responsible way this year, we send our warm regards.
We miss you.
Bay Area Turkish Society
As we approach the giving season, we wanted to share this inspiring young concert violinist’s story with our community. Her story was shared with us by our long time friend and supporter Su Akyüz:
I am writing today to give INSIGHT on a fundraising effort for Selin Algöz, young talented concert violinist from Bursa, Turkey. Selin is a scholarship student at Manhattan School of Music NYC
Will you join me for this GREAT CAUSE -- INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC - A VERY TALENTED TURKISH YOUNG CLASSICAL VIOLINIST. --> Will you help support the cause, we appreciate it if you can make monetary contributions, but most importantly HELP US SPREAD THE WORD? Our goal is to raise funds towards her tuition for her Jr and Sr years at college.
Do something magical while all the crazy happening in the world due to politics and the pandemic.... IT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE --
Click here to give https://gf.me/u/y8dbj7
Listen to Selin's magic from her website under Events section too... http://selinalgoz.com/
Dear Friends,
The Izmir Municipality Mayor Tunc Soyer and his team have organized a very effective campaign #birkirabiryuva to connect those who lost their homes during the earthquake with those of us who want to help. If you would like to donate to them, or provide them a home, please directly visit their portal HERE:
https://admin.ihtiyacharitasi.org/portal/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/43d4b3e1aa774e3ab9a7d44bb9d4d5b4
“Cumhuriyet Bayramı” marks the creation of the Modern Turkish Republic in 1923, at the end of Turkey’s war of Independence which lasted from 1919 to 1923. After a new constitution adoption on October 29th, 1923, the Turkish parliament replaced the constitution of the Ottoman Empire, leading the way to a modern democracy. The difficult road to democracy would not have been possible without Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s modern vision of democracy and his leadership of the Turkish War of Independence.
Deep in our hearts, we cherish the true value of democracy and civic engagement not only on this day, but on everyday through our organization’s activities. Over the years, as the Bay Area Turkish Society, we have celebrated Republic Day in many meaningful ways with our community. This year we can not be physically together, however we wanted to share these cheerful gatherings we held together at the Berkeley Turkish School since 2015 commemorating and celebrating Turkey’s most important day.
We thank you all for being a part of these celebrations, and hope that you are well.
“Cumhuriyet Bayamınız Kutlu Olsun.”
Bay Area Turkish Society
California voters, please register to vote today if you haven’t done so. Below is the information from the the California Online Voter Registration.
If you are registering or re-registering less than 15 days before an election you will need to complete the Same-Day Voter Registration process and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location. For more information on voter registration and voting locations, contact your local county elections official.
For more information on voter registration and voting locations, contact your local county elections official.
To register online you will need
Your California driver license or California identification card number,
The last four digits of your social security number and
Your date of birth.
Your information will be provided to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to retrieve a copy of your DMV signature.
If you do not have a California driver license or California identification card, you can still use this form to apply to register to vote. However, you will need to take additional steps to complete your voter registration.
Check if you are registered to vote and if so, in what county.
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can use this online registration application to pre-register to vote.
For more information on registering to vote you may want to visit the Secretary of State's Frequently Asked Questions.
Call the Secretary of State's Voter Hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683) or your county elections office.
As an organization founded by women, we honoring Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s remarkable legacy…
May you rest in peace.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/18/us/ruth-bader-ginsburg-dead.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article
photo credit: NY Times https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/18/us/ruth-bader-ginsburg-dead.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article
The Bay Area Turkish Society stands united against hate.
As an organization who has experienced hate crimes targeted to our society, we intend to overcome ideologies based on hatred by showing the power of unity and compassion. We are saddened by the news of recent vandalism targeted towards the Armenian society.
As former mayor of San Francisco, Ed Lee had stated so eloquently in his address in 2017:
"Over the course of history, we have been tested by movements designed to magnify our differences and sow distrust. We will not allow that fear and anger to break our spirit. Like we have so many times before, we will overcome ideologies based on hatred by showing the power of unity and compassion."
As bay area residents, we believe that love triumphs over hate. This belief is core to our organization's values and we refuse to be silent watchers for all types of hate crimes.
Thank you,
Bay Area Turkish Society
We are reminded every day about the importance of connecting with our community and helping each other. Because we are in this together.
A year ago Bay Area Turkish Society Hosted Beautiful Terrace Wine Party in Kensington overlooking the majestic scenery of the Bay. We gathered to honor and celebrate our community on this wonderful sunny day with lovely friends, delicious Turkish cuisine and amazing music. Our Board Members unveiled the new vision and mission of our organization as well as its new ongoing successful programs. Since then we planned many meaningful lovely events connecting with our community through cuisine, arts and community building programs.
We hope that you find joy in the simple things in life these days, and hope to connect soon.
Bay Area Turkish Society
30 Agustos Zafer Bayraminiz Kutlu Olsun.
We respectfully remember all those who lost their lives on August 30th, 1922. Victory Day in Turkey commemorates the key Turkish victory in the Battle of Dumlupınar (August 26-30, 1922). The outcome of the battle, which took place in Kütahya province in western Turkey, determined the overall outcome of the Turkish War of Independence (1919-1923). Victory Day was first celebrated in only a few cities in Turkey – such as Ankara, Izmir and Afyonkarahisar – on August 30, 1923. It became a national holiday in 1935.
Hello!
We hope this message finds you and your families healthy and safe in the midst of a pandemic, and California Wild Fires.
This morning the National Weather Agency cancelled the red flag warning for the Berkeley Hills due to changing weather with the following update:
Update, Monday Aug. 24, 10:30 a.m.: The National Weather Service has cancelled the Red Flag warning that included the Bay Area, saying “weak cells are still over the North Bay; however, most moisture has moved north of our area and instability has decreased giving us confidence to let the warning expire early.
While we are relieved for this good news, we would like to share with you the following links to be prepared in the event another red flag warning.
Berkeley Side has a great article on Fire Safety, we recommend you check it out HERE. Below is a section of the article with important links:
Wildfire evacuation
The Berkeley hills are exposed to dangerous wildfires that may spread quickly. Hills residents must be ready to evacuate with or without notice from public safety officials.
This webpage provides information about evacuation:
When to evacuateHow to evacuatePreparing your household to evacuateIf you have time, take these steps to help protect your homeIf you become trappedReturning home after an evacuation
When to evacuate
If an evacuation is ordered for your evacuation zone, leave immediately.
Find your zone on the Citywide Evacuation Zone Map:
PDF view (downloadable)ArcGIS view (may contain more up-to-date information)
If you see/experience any of the following, consider evacuating on your own:
Visible fire in an adjacent home, and/orVisible fire in a home close by with strong winds, and/orStrong winds carrying smoke and/or embers through or over your neighborhood.
If you feel threatened, leave immediately. Do not wait for an evacuation order.
Officials will notify you of an evacuation order as early as possible. You must take the initiative to stay informed and aware.
You can monitor radio, television and internet sources for more information. Berkeley’s emergency radio stations are 1610 AM, KPFB 89.3 FM, KCBS 740 AM, KQED 88.5 FM, KSOL 98.9 FM (Spanish). Visit the Emergency Alerting page to learn about systems that may carry emergency information and instructions. If you feel threatened, leave immediately. Do not wait for an evacuation order.
How to evacuate
If you are instructed to evacuate, leave immediately following all evacuation instructions. Evacuating the area early will help keep roads clear of congestion, letting firefighters move more freely to do their job. If you feel threatened, evacuate immediately. Do not wait for an evacuation order.
Map: Emergency Access and Evacuation Routes
If you can’t drive or roads are blocked:
The Berkeley hills have many foot paths maintained by the Berkeley Path Wanderers. In some neighborhoods, it will be faster to evacuate on foot paths than on City streets.
If roads are clear and you can drive:
Drive routes as instructed by officials. Do not block public safety personnel or vehicles while driving. If you encounter blocked roads, consider alternate routes. If you must leave your car, park in a location that does not block traffic (blocking sidewalks is acceptable) and evacuate on foot. It is critical that you keep the roadways clear for first responders!
If you need assistance leaving (Can’t walk or drive out on your own):
Check with your neighbors to see if they can give you a ride or assist you in evacuating on footCall 911 if you can’t leave your house and need emergency assistance to evacuateIf first responders come to your door, notify them that you will need assistance evacuating
A checklist for wildfire evacuation can be found here:
Berkeley Wildfire Evacuation Checklist (PDF)
Berkeley Wildfire Evacuation Checklist (Word: Large Print and Screen Reader Friendly)
Preparing your household to evacuate
If you are instructed to prepare to evacuate, take the following steps. If you feel threatened, evacuate immediately. Do not wait for an evacuation order.
Immediate actions:
Cover up to protect against heat and flying embers. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, heavy shoes/boots, a cap, a dry bandanna for face cover, and goggles or glasses. 100% cotton or natural materials are preferable.With members of your household, identify in advance where to meet if you get separated. Select a common friend or relative to call.Assemble items on your Evacuation Packing ListLocate your pets and take them with you.
Prepare to drive:
Back your vehicle into your driveway. Do not block the road.Pack items from your Evacuation Packing List into your vehicle.Keep your all vehicle doors and windows closed.Carry your car keys with you.Be prepared to evacuate on foot.
Evacuation packing list:
Critical items
FlashlightCell phoneArea map marked with at least two evacuation routes
Important items
Go-kit (if already prepared)Bottle of water and snackRadioCell phone chargerPrescriptions or critical medicationsExtra eyeglasses or contact lensesChange of clothing and toiletriesExtra set of car keys, credit cards, and cashBattery-powered radio and extra batteriesCopies of important documentWhistle to signal for helpPet collar and leads, carriers, medications, water and foodEssential durable medical equipment, like a walker, cane, or C-Pap machinePhotos and other critical effects
If you have time, take these steps to help protect your home
If time allows, follow these checklists to give your home the best chance of surviving a wildfire.
If you have been ordered to evacuate, leave immediately. Do not waste time protecting your home.If you feel threatened, evacuate immediately. Do not wait for an evacuation order.
Inside the house
Shut all windows and doors.Remove flammable window shades and close metal shutters, especially those in attics.Remove lightweight curtains.Move flammable furniture to the center of the room, away from windows and doors.Leave your lights on so firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions.Shut off the air conditioning.
Outside the house
Gather up flammable items from the exterior of the house (patio furniture, children’s toys, door mats, trash cans, etc.) and either bring them inside or move them as far away from your home as possible.Move propane BBQ appliances away from structures.Connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots for use by firefighters. Fill water buckets (5 gallons or less) and place them around the outside of the house.Don’t leave sprinklers on or water running, they can affect critical water pressure.Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible to firefighters in the smoke or darkness of night.Have a ladder available and place it at the corner of the house for firefighters to quickly access your roof.Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals. If embers come in through these or other air intakes, they could cause your home to catch on fire.Check on neighbors and make sure they are preparing to leave.Patrol your property and monitor the fire situation. Evacuate immediately if you feel threatened. Do not wait for an evacuation order.
If you become trapped
In your vehicle:
Park your vehicle in an area clear of vegetation and power lines. Do not block the road.Keep the engine running and headlights on. Roll up windows and set the ventilation system to re-circulate to reduce smoke in the car.Cover yourself with wool blanket or jacket.Lie on vehicle floor.Use your cell phone to call 911. Advise officials that you are trapped and of your location (address or intersection is best).
While on foot:
Go to an area clear of vegetation — a ditch, depression, or body of water, if possible.Lie face down, cover up your body.Use your cell phone to call 911. Advise officials that you are trapped and of your location (address or intersection is best).
While in your home:
Keep your household together.Call 911. Advise officials that you are trapped and of your location (address or intersection is best).Fill your sinks and tubs with cold water.Keep doors and windows closed but unlocked.Stay inside your house.Stay away from exterior walls and windows.
Note: It will get hot in the house. But it will be much hotter and more dangerous outside
Returning home after an evacuation
Fire officials will determine when it is safe for you to return to your home. This will be done as soon as possible considering safety and accessibility.
Be alert for downed power lines and other hazards.Check your residence carefully for hidden embers or smoldering fires for the next 24 – 72 hours. Additional resourcesDownload a Fire Safety and Suppression Activity Guide and learn more about practicing for emergencies at the Berkeley Emergency Preparedness Month and Citywide Emergency Exercise page.Learn how to prepare your your home before a wildfire with guidance from the National Fire Protection Association and the Diablo Firesafe Council.For more information about how to prepare your household, your business and your neighborhood for emergencies, visit Berkeley Ready.Tracey Taylor is co-founder of Berkeleyside and co-founder and editorial director of Cityside. Email: tracey@citysidejournalism.org.
On this 4th of July, we remember all the souls who lost their lives to Covid 19 Pandemic.
We leave you with Woody Guthrie’s song “This Land is Your Land.”
Be safe, wear your mask and stay healthy.
the great Woody Guthrie
Image by Jeff Chiu/Associated Press, retrieved from New York Times- June 2nd, 2020
In the past weeks, the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, have made it more clear to us all that living in America is more dangerous if you are black and brown.
While we understand this is a result of a systemic design, as parents if you find yourselves wondering what you can do to raise children that are not racist, the below document is intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work. If you haven’t engaged in anti-racism work in the past, start now. Feel free to circulate this document on social media and with your friends, family, and colleagues.
Resources for white parents to raise anti-racist children:
Books:
Podcasts:
Articles:
The Conscious Kid: follow them on Instagram and consider signing up for their Patreon
Articles to read:
“America’s Racial Contract Is Killing Us” by Adam Serwer | Atlantic (May 8, 2020)
Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement (Mentoring a New Generation of Activists
”My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant” by Jose Antonio Vargas | NYT Mag (June 22, 2011)
The 1619 Project (all the articles) | The New York Times Magazine
“The Intersectionality Wars” by Jane Coaston | Vox (May 28, 2019)
Tips for Creating Effective White Caucus Groups developed by Craig Elliott PhD
”White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” by Knapsack Peggy McIntosh
“Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?” by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi | Atlantic (May 12, 2020)
Videos to watch:
"How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion" | Peggy McIntosh at TEDxTimberlaneSchools (18:26)
Podcasts to subscribe to:
Books to read:
Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins
Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Dr. Brittney Cooper
Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
Raising Our Hands by Jenna Arnold
Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century by Grace Lee Boggs
Dear Friends,
We are sending this message with the hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe.
As we mark the eleventh week of shelter-in-place in the Bay Area, we have been connecting with our friends and families virtually to cope with our isolation. Collectively we are experiencing our own resiliency and our ability to adapt to our new normal. During this unprecedented time, we have also witnessed the importance of citizenship, and what it means to hold ourselves accountable to be better world citizens.
The COVID crisis has reminded us that we all have to work together to overcome global challenges, and has shown us that our interconnectedness as a human race stretches beyond borders. In this incredible but delicate world we live in, leaving a better, clean, and equitable future for generations means we need to make the change within ourselves, and collaborate with joy.
In honor of the commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, we would like to share with you our Harmandalı Project that Bay Area Turkish Society Folk Dance Team members collaborated virtually on. This is a traditional Western Anatolian dance and is performed by Zeybeks. We hope watching it brings you as much joy as it has brought to us making it.
Warmly,
Bay Area Turkish Society, Board Members
Başak Altan, Başak Çakıcı, Yeşim Erim, Alpay Soyoğuz and Erol Çobanoğlu
Dear Friends,
We hope that our message finds you and your family safe, healthy and well during these challenging and unprecedented times.
This week marked one month of shelter-in-place in the State of California. As we are practicing social distancing, juggling work and home-schooling, and simply getting used to a new normal, our connection to our community is becoming even more important. As we further explore and navigate what it means to be a community organization during this COVID 19 Pandemic, our community members are initiating online book discussions, knitting clubs, folk dances, and social gatherings. These gatherings are making it clearer each day, for each one of us, why and how our community matters, and what really matters in life.
So, on this Earth Day, we are reminded of our connectedness to not just our people communities, but also our physical community, our Earth, and how our individual actions and choices today directly impact us and our own environment tomorrow and for generations to come.
Tomorrow marks the 100th anniversary of International Children’s Day. As the Bay Area Turkish Society, we brought together images of the past 5 years of Children’s Festivals we hosted for our community in the Bay Area with the hopes that they will bring a smile to your faces and a ray of sunshine to your day.
We wish you a happy, fulfilling, and heartfelt International Children’s Day.
Stay well, and please reach out if there’s anything we can do to help support you.
Warmly,
Bay Area Turkish Society, Board Members
Başak Altan, Başak Çakıcı, Yeşim Erim, Alpay Soyoğuz and Erol Çobanoğlu
We are writing to inform our community that we are cancelling all in-person classes and events through June 1st, 2020 Due to Covid -19. These include our April Culinary Classes and our Folk Dance classes.
Thank you and please stay safe.
Dear Friends,
Due to the COVID-19 situation, per the guidelines of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention we have decided to cancel our programs until March 31st. This impacts our following programs:
Folk Dance Classes for March 10th & 15th.
Culinary Gathering Series for March 15th
Thank you for your support as we navigate what it means to be a community organization that emphasizes connection during a time of heightened uncertainty.
Bay Area Turkish Society Board Members
Our rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening at 7: 30PM - 9:15PM (unless otherwise notified)
Registration Fee: $60. ($40 for students).
We use the cheddar up app to collect payments. This fee covers our studio, tax and insurance expenses. Our instructor Mehmet Unal is volunteer instructor. We take turns leading the class per his direction at times when he is not available.
Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, 2704 Alcatraz Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
10 min - Warm-up
30 min - Practicing Previously learned Dances
10 min -Break
30 min- Learning New Dance (Trakya region for Spring 2020)
10 min - stretching
Comfortable clothing (yoga pants, tights tshirts)
Everyone must have clean and comfortable exercise Shoes to avoid injury. No outside shoes are allowed into the dance studio.
Bring your water bottle.
There is no food allowed into the studio.
Use Scent Free deodorants.
We have serious fun. This means we pay attention and also enjoy eachothers' company respectfully.
Newcomers are welcome, we will revisit old dances to teach new comers, and include new choreography to our repertoire in addition to the old ones. This means we look to our group for inspiration and past knowledge for certain dances if they had danced before.If not we collectively research and part take in the evolution of the choreography
Allowing 5 minutes to stretching at the end of the class to avoid injuries.
We are a team of volunteer folk dancers, and we are happy to dance at events in exchange for donations to Berkeley Turkish School.
Organizations or individuals can submit online a document request for booking our folk dance performances.
BTS provides the costumes which are custom made and brought from Turkey.
It is the performers' responsibility to air dry, clean, iron and return promptly after the performances.
We request each dancer to have a pair of performance dance shoes matching to the team's footwear for performances. We will share this information during class.
After connecting with the booking organization and getting a clear understanding of the audience, and the event type our instructor Mehmet Unal decides which performers get to perform what type of dances are suitable for each venue.
Our general rule is that dancers must be present at 3 consecutive rehearsals to perform at a show
Bay Area Turkish Society is a secular 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization and is not associated with any other non profit or political movement.
