Latke Ball

Singles and couples sang along to the tunes of '80s cover band Tainted Love, grooved to the beat of DJ Splesh and relaxed while listening to the sounds of a live jazz quartet at the Latke Ball in San Francisco last month.

Started to provide a Jewish alternative around Christmas, the third annual Latke Ball attracted 1,500 partygoers — about 400 more people than the previous year. At the Dec. 23 event, organizers also collected about 200 warm coats to be distributed to the Salvation Army.