"Skillful Communication for Couples" offers practical easy skills for better communication in a relationship. The cost is $80 per couple for four classes from May 11 to June 8. Pre-registration is required for all classes, which are at 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. For information, call (408) 356-7576.

Hebrew prayer class beginning in Aptos

A class on Hebrew prayers and blessings will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, April 19 to May 17 at Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Rd., Aptos.

The class is a continuation of the Hebrew II winter session and will help students continue to learn basic prayers and blessings for both Shabbat and Jewish festivals.

The class is open to those who wish to brush up on Hebrew as well as adult b'nai mitzvah students. Students will sharpen their reading skills and learn rudiments of grammar with an emphasis on understanding text.

Students should have the ability to read Hebrew and a basic understanding of Hebrew grammar. Cost is $35 for the public. No class will be held Sunday, May 10. For information, call (408) 479-3444.

2nd Temple class offered at ALSJCC

Hebrew University graduate Shelley Cohney and the University of Melbourne will present a four-week class, "The Second Temple," beginning 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 20 at the Albert L. Schultz Jewish Community Center.

Through history and archaeology, the course will explore the Temple and its surrounding society as well as why it played such a pivotal role in the history of Judaism and Christianity.

The class costs $30. The center is located at 655 Arastradero Rd. in Palo Alto. For information, call (650) 493-9400.

Jews in the cinema is Aptos class topic

From Al Jolson to Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg to Irving Thalberg, Jewish figures central to the American cinema will be uncovered in a new class, "Jews and the Cinema," offered at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, April 21 through May 12 at Temple Beth El of Aptos.

The course offers an interpretation of the Jewish presence in Hollywood, as well as a look at the Yiddish cinema that flourished in New Jersey in the 1930s.

Instructor Bruce Thompson received his Ph.D. in history and humanities from Stanford University and is currently a lecturer in history at U.C. Santa Cruz. The course fee is $35 for synagogue members and $45 for the public.

The synagogue is located at 3055 Porter Gulch Road. Information: Judy Brenis at (408) 479-7246.

Yom HaShoah rides needed for survivors

Many older Holocaust survivors are in need of transportation to the community Yom HaShoah Commemoration at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Congregation Emanu-El.

Jewish Family and Children's Services is organizing a transportation service but still needs drivers willing to volunteer. If you know of a Holocaust survivor or are interested in driving, call Jan McCarty at (415) 561-1204. The synagogue is at 2 Lake St., S.F.