friday | 9

“The Recent Rise in Anti-Semitism.” Nancy Appel and Rose Gabaeff of the Anti-Defamation League. At Temple Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City. 8 p.m. (650) 366-8481.

sunday | 11

“Jewish Humor Through the Ages: What’s So Funny and Why?” Michael Krasny, host, KQED Radio’s “Forum.” Sponsor: Congregation Rodef Sholom. At Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 9:30 a.m. $10. (415) 479-3441.

“Spa for the Soul.” Spiritual retreat with study, discussion, music and more. Includes lunch. Sponsor: Peninsula Jewish Women’s Circle and North Peninsula Chabad. At San Mateo Marriott, 1770 S. Amphlett Blvd. 1 p.m. $36. Reservations: (650) 341-4510.

“Morasha: Oakland Learns Together.” Oakland’s Beth Jacob Congregation, Temple Beth Abraham and Temple Sinai join for text study. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 7 p.m. Reservations: (510) 451-0313, then dial *212.

“A Land Twice Promised.” Storyteller Noa Baum’s testimony focusing on emotions of Israelis and Palestinians. Sponsor: Israel Center of S.F.-based federation. At Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. $7-$10. (510) 848-0237.

monday | 12

“Discipline Without Guilt.” For parents of children ages 18 months to 5 years. At Parents Place S.F., 1710 Scott St. 12 p.m. $20. (415) 359-2454.

“The Joy of Theater.” For students in kindergarten through third grade. First of 12 Monday classes. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 16555 Shannon Road, Los Gatos. 4 p.m. $120-$150. (408) 358-1751.

“Science Adventures.” First of 12 sessions. Students in third through fifth grades: 4 p.m. Mondays through March 29; kindergarten through third grade: 4 p.m. Wednesdays through March 31. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 16555 Shannon Road, Los Gatos. $150-$198. (408) 358-1751.

“Fathers and Daughters.” At Parents Place S.F., 1710 Scott St. 6 p.m. $20. (415) 359-2454.

tuesday | 13

“Caught in the Fault Line: The Edges of Israeli Society.” Stuart Schoffman, senior editor, The Jerusalem Report. Sponsor: Women’s Alliance of the S.F.-based federation. At private home in Palo Alto. 9:30 a.m. (650) 919-2104.

“The Disappearance of the Baghdadi Jews of Singapore.” Joan Bieder, senior lecturer, Graduate School of Journalism at U.C. Berkeley. At Contra Costa Jewish Community Center, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. 10 a.m. $3-$5. (925) 938-7800.

Literacy training. Learn to be a volunteer reading tutor. Sponsor: Jewish Coalition for Literacy. At federation building, 121 Steuart St., S.F. 10 a.m. (415) 977-7445.

“Babies and Blankies.” Parenting and playgroup for babies under 12 months and their parents. First of 12 Tuesday classes. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 16555 Shannon Road, Los Gatos. 11 a.m. $5-$7 a session. (408) 358-1751.

“Learned Optimism.” How to promote a child’s self-esteem. At Parents Place S.F., 1710 Scott St. 12 p.m. $20. (415) 359-2454.

“A Very Merry Un-Birthday Party.” Arts, crafts and more for children ages 3 to 5. 12:45 p.m. Thursdays through March 30. At Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. $150-$180. (408) 358-5939.

“Teaching Your Strong-Willed Child.” At Parents Place S.F., 1710 Scott St. 6 p.m. $20. (415) 359-2454.

“Single Mothers.” For mothers of children up to age 6. First of eight Tuesday sessions. At Parents Place S.F., 1710 Scott St. 6:30 p.m. $15 a session. (415) 359-2454.

“From Interfaith Couple to Jewish Couple: The Impact of Conversion on Your Relationship.” First of three Tuesday sessions. At Jewish Community Center San Francisco, 3200 California St. 7 p.m. (415) 449-1210.

“Jewish Identity in Dangerous Times.” Stuart Schoffman, senior editor, The Jerusalem Report. Ben-Gurion Society event. Sponsor: Young Adults Division of the S.F.-based federation. At Jewish Community Center San Francisco, Gallanter Family Lecture Hall, 3200 California St. 7 p.m. $10-$15. (415) 512-6280.

“Learned Optimism.” How to promote a child’s self-esteem. First of four Tuesday sessions. At Parents Place Marin, 600 Fifth Ave., San Rafael. 7 p.m. $25 a session. Reservations: (415) 491-7959.

“… again: The Winds of War. Odessa Weimar and Ground Zero: A Critical Analysis.” Rabbi Alan Berg. First of three Tuesday sessions. At Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. 7:30 p.m. $5 a session. (650) 341-7701.

wednesday | 14

“Arts Explosion.” For children ages 2 to 3. First of eight Wednesday sessions. At Parents Place S.F., 1710 Scott St. 11:30 a.m. $15 a session. (415) 359-2454.

“Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: The Evolution of the Jewish Community.” Ted Feldman, executive director, Jewish Family and Children’s Services of the East Bay. Bring your own lunch. At Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 12 p.m. $5. Reservations: (510) 848-0237, ext. 112.

“New Mother, New Baby.” First of eight Wednesday sessions. At Parents Place S.F., 1710 Scott St. 12:30 p.m. $15 a session. (415) 359-2454.

“Theater 101: Discovering the Fundamentals of Theater.” For students in third through fifth grades. Wednesdays through March 31. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 16555 Shannon Road, Los Gatos. 4 p.m. $132-$165. (408) 358-1751.

“The Economy in Israel and its Impact on Children.” Yossi Tamir, executive director, Ashalim, The Association for Planning and Development of Services for Children and Youth at Risk. Sponsor: South Peninsula Region of the S.F.-based federation. At Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, 470 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto. 7 p.m. Reservations: (650) 494-8444.

thursday | 15

“Ready, Set, Go! Preparing for Preschool.” Discussion group for parents. First of eight Thursday sessions. Also available on Fridays. At Parents Place S.F., 1710 Scott St. 10 a.m. $20 a session. (415) 359-2454.

“Jewish Roots of Christian Liturgy.” Rabbi Harry Manhoff, Temple Beth Sholom. Multi-Interest Day Lecture Series. At Temple Beth Sholom, 642 Dolores Ave., San Leandro. 10:15 a.m. $5. (510) 839-2900, ext. 233.

“The Dads’ Connection.” Activity and playgroup for stay-at-home dads and their children (up to age 4). First of three Thursdays sessions. At Parents Place S.F., 1710 Scott St. 3 p.m. $20 a session. (415) 359-2454.

“The Terrific Twos and You.” First of two Thursday sessions. At Parents Place S.F., 1710 Scott St. 6 p.m. $20 a session. (415) 359-2454.

“Palestinians and Jews Listening in Dialogue.” Panel discussion sponsored by Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group. At Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 6:30 p.m. (415) 444-8069.

“David and Bathsheba: Sex, Lies and Judaism.” Amy Jill Levine, professor, Vanderbilt University. “Scholarly Mind, Generous Heart: Celebrating Our First 10 Years with Rabbi Pearce” lecture series. At Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St., S.F. 7:30 p.m. Free. (415) 751-2535.

“East Bay Jewish Folk Chorus.” Participate in a chorus led by Achi Ben Shalom. Audition required. Thursdays through March 25. At Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. $120. (510) 528-8872.

friday | 16

“Ofie/Tsofi Regional Shabbaton and Convention.” Sponsor: Young Judaea, the Zionist youth movement of Hadassah. For students in grades three through eight. Continues through Jan. 18. At Camp Walden West in Saratoga. $185. Reservations: (310) 888-4084.

“Baby Drop-In.” Play group for babies up to 14 months. First of three Friday sessions. At Parents Place Palo Alto, 410 Sherman Ave. 11:30 a.m. $5 a session. (650) 688-3040.

sunday | 18

“Rabbi’s Breakfast Club.” Study session with Rabbi Ted Alexander. At Congregation B’nai Emunah, 3595 Taraval St., S.F. 10 a.m. (415) 664-7373.

Book group. Bagels and discussion of Jonathan Safran Foer’s “Everything is Illuminated.” At Congregation Shir Hadash, 16555 Shannon Road, Los Gatos. 12:15 p.m. Reservations: (408) 358-1751, ext. 5.

“Using Wills and Probate in Jewish Genealogy.” Sponsor: San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society. At Jewish Community High School of the Bay, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 1 p.m. Free. www.jewishgen.org/sfbajgs.

“The Shanghai Jews.” Screening of “A Place to Save Your Life,” and discussion with Harry Loew and Dora Green, who sought refuge in Shanghai from the Nazis, and Sophie Souroujon, who was born in Shanghai. Sponsor: Jewish Historical Society of Napa Valley. At Napa Main Library, 530 Coombs St., Napa. 4 p.m. $5. (707) 259-5332.