art

ongoing

“From Borscht Belt to Bible Belt.” Carol Buchman paintings. Through Dec. 7. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. www.svjcc.org.

“In the Beginning: Artists Respond to Genesis.” Through Jan. 4. “Warhol’s Jews: Ten Portraits Reconsidered.” Through Jan. 9. StoryCorps. Share life stories with family and friends in the story booth. Through Oct. 11, 2009. At Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F. www.thecjm.org.

“Illuminations: Creative Art from the Jewish Home.” Through Nov. 16. At Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St., S.F. www.emanuelsf.org.

“Il Ghetto: Forging Italian Jewish Identities 1516-1870.” Through Feb. 15. At Fort Mason, S.F. www.museoitaloamericano.org.

“Jewish Magic: Folklore and Fantasy.” Through Dec. 31. At JCCSF’s Katz Snyder Gallery, 3200 California St., S.F. www.jccsf.org/jewish.

“Modigliani, His Friends, His Paris.” Italian Jewish artist Amedeo Modigliani. Through Jan. 29. At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. (415) 567-3327 ext. 704.

“On My Grandmother’s Table.” Through Jan. 20. Jewish Heritage Museum. At Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living, 4000 Camino Tassajara, Danville. (925) 648-2800. www.rcjl.org

“Orthodox in Israel.” Photographs by Michael Cohen. Through Jan. 16. At Osher Marin JCC, N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. (415) 444-8000. www.marinjcc.org.

“Polish Heroes: Those Who Rescued Jews.” Chris Schwarz photography exhibit. Through Dec. 5. At Koret Pavilion at the Ziff Center, Hillel at Stanford University, Mayfield Avenue and Campus Drive East. Opening reception Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. (650) 736-1199.

“Sidewalking Israel — Spring, 2008.” Black and white photography by Rabbi Bernie Robinson. Through January. At Congregation Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon. (415) 388-1818.

“Temporary Residence.” Solo exhibition by Israeli street artist Know Hope. Through Nov. 22. At Anno Domini gallery, 366 South First St., San Jose. (408) 271-5155.

“The Atheon Project: A Temple of Science for Rational Belief.” Jonathon Keats window installation. Through Feb. 1. At Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2222 Harold Way, Berkeley. www.magnes.org.

“The State Museums of Berlin and the Legacy of James Simon.” Recently rediscovered German Jewish collector. Through Jan. 18. At the Palace of the Legion of Honor, Golden Gate Park, 34th Avenue at Clement Street, S.F. www.famsf.org.

“The Torah in Bronze.” By Martin Katz. Through December. At Interior Niche, 3535 Sacramento St., S.F. (415) 572-1466. www.interiorniche.com.

“Wild and Lovely.” Monotypes and oil paintings of Jewish artist Arthur Krakower. Through Dec. 24. At RS Gallery and Framing, 628 Emerson St., Palo Alto. www.rsgallerypa.com.

“Works on Iron.” Contemporary Israeli artists Helen Shaul and Asnat Greenberg. Through Nov. 24. At Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. www.pjcc.org.

monday | 3

“Italia Ebraica: Italian Ritual Objects and Manuscripts.” Through Jan. 29. At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. Free. (415) 567-3327 ext. 703.

theater

thursday | 6

“The Last Yiddish Poet.” Preview. Play runs Nov. 9-Dec. 14. At Traveling Jewish Theatre, 470 Florida St., S.F. (800) 838-3006. www.atjt.com.

friday | 7

“Fiddler on the Roof.” Youth Musical Theater Company. Through Nov. 15. At Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. $8-$20. (800) 838-3006.

music & dance

tuesday | 4

Israeli singer-songwriter Shlomo Artzi. At Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. 8:30 p.m. $61-$151. www.israelinthebay.org.

friday | 7

“Skin: One Become Two.” Nina Haft and company’s dance installation about borders and the Middle East. Through Nov. 16. At Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, 2704 Alcatraz Ave., Berkeley. $12-$15. (510) 325-5646.

saturday | 8

“The BREW: Clarinet Thing and Real Vocal String Quartet.” At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 8 p.m. $10-$15. www.jcceastbay.org/arts.

sunday | 9

EOS Ensemble present Osvaldo Golijov’s “The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind.” In commemoration of Kristallnacht. At Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F. 6-7:30 p.m. (415) 655-7800. [email protected]

film & video

sunday | 2

“The Champagne Spy,” 3 p.m. “Refusenik,” 5 p.m. “A Secret,” 7:15 p.m. Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival. At Camera 12 Cinemas, 201 S. Second St., San Jose. www.svjff.org.

“Encounter Point.” Sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace. At Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., S.F. 7 p.m. $10-$20. (510) 549-1519.

“Jellyfish.” Presented by the Tel Aviv in Motion film club. Co-director and writer Etgar Keret will conduct a question and answer session. At JCCSF, 3200 California Ave., S.F. 7 p.m. (415 ) 512-6203.

monday | 3

“Refusenik.” At Beth Chaim Congregation, 1800 Holbrook Drive, Danville. 7:30 p.m. (510) 839-2900.

wednesday | 5

“Memoria.” Interviews with Italian Jewish Holocaust survivors. At JCCSF, 3200 California Ave., S.F. 7 p.m. $8-$10. (415) 292-1233. www.jccsf.org.

“Out of Sight.” Sonoma County Jewish Film Festival. At Cinema West Boulevard Cinemas, Petaluma Boulevard at C Street, Petaluma. 7:15 p.m. Also Nov. 6 at Rialto Cinemas Lakeside, 551 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa. 1 and 7:15 p.m. www.jccsoco.org.

sunday | 9

“To Life.” A photographer visits her estranged Chilean father who is preparing late in life for his bar mitzvah. International Latino Film Society. At Brava Theater for Women in the Arts, 2781 24 St., S.F. 4:15 p.m.www.brava.org.

“Sixty Six,” 1 p.m. “Villa Jasmin,” 3 p.m. “My Mexican Shiva,” 5 p.m. “Max Minsky and Me,” 5:30 p.m. “Knowledge is the Beginning,” 7:30 p.m. Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival. At Camera 12 Cinemas, 201 South Second St., San Jose. p.m. www.svjff.org.

tv & radio

sunday | 2

“Synagogue of the Air.” On KUSF 90.3 FM. 9 a.m.

tuesday | 4

“Jewish Music Alternative.” With Raya Zion. On KZSU 90.1 FM. 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

sunday | 9

“A Jewish Perspective.” On KRON TV, channel 4. 5:30 a.m.

“God on Trial.” Prisoners in Auschwitz put God on trial. PBS Masterpiece Contemporary presentation. On KQED-Channel 9. 9 p.m. www.pbs.org/masterpiece.

lectures & workshops

friday | 31

“Challah-ween.” Learn challah-making techniques and take home a challah to bake. $10. At Contra Costa JCC, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. 9:30-11:30 a.m. www.ccjcc.org.

saturday | 1

Author and screenwriter Etgar Keret. Co-director of Israeli hit “Jellyfish.” At Kehillah Jewish High School, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. $10. (415) 512-6203.

sunday | 2

“If the Election is Already Decided In Heaven — Why Vote On Earth?” Lecture and breakfast. At Richmond Torah Center-Chabad, 423 10th Ave., S.F. 10 a.m. www.rtchabad.org.

Bookfest 2008 keynote speech. By Israeli author David Grossman. At JCCSF, 3200 California Ave., S.F. 11 a.m. $18. www.jccsf.org/bookfest.

Amy Bloom and Lore Segal, 12:45 p.m. Marie Brenner and Anne Ripher, 2:15 p.m. Avraham Burg and Michael Krasny, 3:45 p.m. Etgar Keret, Eileen Pollack and Irina Reyn, 5:15 p.m. At Kanbar Hall, JCCSF, 3200 California Ave., S.F. Free. www.jccsf.org/bookfest.

David G. Dalin and John F. Rothmann, 12:45 p.m. Roger Bennet and Benjamin Nugget, 2:15 p.m. Rabbi David Wolpe, 3:45 p.m. Fred E. Basten and Frances Dinkelspiel, 5:15 p.m. At Fisher Family Hall East, JCCSF, 3200 California Ave., S.F. Free. www.jccsf.org/bookfest.

Gregory Levey, 12:45 p.m. Emil Draitser, 2:15 p.m. (in English). Emil Draitser, 3:45 p.m. (in Russian). Vivian Gornick, 5:15 p.m. In Room 205, JCCSF, 3200 California Ave., S.F. Free. www.jccsf.org/bookfest.

Ilan Stavans, 12:45 p.m. Marcelo Birmajer and Ilan Stavans, 2:15 p.m. Arnon Grunberg, 3:45 p.m. Mimi Schwartz and Suzanne Vromen, 5:15 p.m. At Gallanter Hall, Room 206, JCCSF, 3200 California Ave., S.F. Free. www.jccsf.org/bookfest.

Nina Burliegh, 2:15 p.m. Adam Kirsch, 3:45 p.m. Louis Ferrante and Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, 5:15 p.m. At Fisher Family Hall West, JCCSF, 3200 California Ave., S.F. Free. www.jccsf.org/bookfest.

David Grossman. At Kresge Auditorium, Stanford University. 7:30 p.m. (650) 725-0577.

monday | 3

Tax and estate planning seminar. Jewish Community Endowment Fund. With keynote speaker U.C. President Mark Yudof. At Four Seasons Hotel, S.F. 8:30 a.m. $115. (415) 512-6215.

Author Adam Kirsch. “Benjamin Disraeli.” At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7:30 p.m. Free. (415) 567-3327 ext. 703.

tuesday | 4

“Renewal of Judaism in the 21st Century.” With Rabbi Dan Goldblatt. At Contra Costa JCC, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. 10 a.m. $5-$8. (925) 938-7800.

“Italian Jews: History and Culture.” With Francesco Spagnolo, head of research at the Judah L. Magnes Museum. Also Nov. 11. At Temple Sinai Village at Merritt College, 12500 Campus Drive, Oakland. 7:15-8:45 p.m. $25-$35. www.oaklandsinai.org.

wednesday | 5

“The Holocaust By Bullets: A Priest’s Journey to Uncover the Truth Behind the Murder of 1.5 Million Jews.” With Father Patrick Desbois. At JCCSF, 3200 California Ave., S.F. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.ushmm.org.

“The Jewish Theory of Everything: Negotiating Jewish Identity in Italy.” With Francesco Spagnolo, head of research at the Judah L. Magnes Museum. At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7:30 p.m. Free. (415) 567-3327 ext. 703.

Author Philip Spiegel. “Triumph Over Tyranny: The Heroic Campaigns that Save 2,000,000 Soviet Jews.” At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 8 p.m. Free. www.svjcc.org. Also 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Bob and Bob, 4500 El Camino Real, Los Altos. (650) 947-7010.

thursday | 6

“The Jews of England.” With professor Sheldon Rothblatt. East Bay Jewish Forum. At Temple Beth Abraham, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 10 a.m. $10. (510) 839-2900 ext. 253.

Author Marcelo Birmajer. “Three Musketeers.” At Foster City Library, 1000 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City. 7 p.m. Free. www.pjcc.org.

Scientist and author Dr. Fritjof Capra on Leonardo da Vinci. At JCCSF, 3200 California Ave., S.F. 8 p.m. $15-$18. www.jccsf.org.

sunday | 9

“The Yad Vashem Project.” Bagels, Lox and Learning. With Bobbi Bornstein of Jewish Family and Children’s Services. At Kehilla High School, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 10 a.m. $5. (650) 494-6400.

Jewish War Veterans meeting. Byron Whittlin discusses post-traumatic stress disorder. At Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. 11 a.m. (650) 368-0880.

Genealogy workshop. “One-on-One Help With Your Family Tree.” Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society. At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 12-2 p.m. (415) 567-3327 ext. 703.

“Ketubot for Families.” Families create portraits in words and pictures. At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 1-3 p.m. Free. (415) 567-3327 ext. 703.

“Anti-Semitism in the Bay Area.” At Congregation Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City. 7 p.m. Free. www.abrahamsvision.org.

“The Middle East in the Post-Olmert/Bush Era.” With Yakov Katz, military correspondent and defense analyst for the Jerusalem Post. At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 7 p.m. $10. (510) 525-3582.

thursday | 13

Dora Sorell, Holocaust survivor and author of "Tell the Children: Letters to Miriam." At AgeSong, Lakeside Park, 468 Perkins St., Oakland. (510) 444-4684. "

benefits & social events

saturday | 1

“Dancing With Our Stars.” Addison-Penzak JCC Benefit Gala. At Fairmont Hotel, 170 Market St., San Jose. 6:30 p.m. $150. (408) 357-7402. www.jvalley.org.

Yeashore Community Havdallah service followed by a chanty sing. At the Hyde St. Pier, S.F. 7:30 p.m. www.yeashore.org.

sunday | 2

Poltava Arts and Crafts Faire. Jewelry, pottery, Judaica and food to support a sister synagogue in Ukraine. At Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (650) 494-3404.

“Family Bingo and Movie Night.” Snacks and prizes provided. At Osher Marin JCC, Kurland Lounge, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 2-4 p.m. $10 per family. (415) 444-8000.

“Insight Meditation in a Jewish Setting.” Pre-election gathering. At Congregation Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara St., S.F. 6:30 p.m. (510) 843-4952.

“Citizen Josh” Darfur benefit. Featuring monologist Josh Kornbluth and a post-show interview with MoveOn.org co-founder Joan Blades. At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 7 p.m. $36. www.netivotshalom.org.

friday | 7

“Shabbaton Weekend with Rabbi Yosef F. Jacobson.” Chabad of Northern California. Through Nov. 9. At Crowne Plaza Hotel, Foster City. $89-$250 (does not include hotel room). (650) 424-9800.

saturday | 8

“Diaspora Dinner XVI — The Jews of Scandinavia.” Five-course charity dinner and historical presentation. At Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave., San Jose.

6 p.m. $49. RSVP to [email protected]

sunday | 9

“To Whom Do We Give Thanks.” S.F. Secular/Humanist Havurah potluck brunch and discussion. At a private home in San Francisco. 11 a.m. RSVP to (415) 751-3766.

“Creating Hope: The Art of Healing.” Shalom Bayit’s annual benefit, including docent tour of exhibits, luncheon and silent auction. At the Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F. 11:30 a.m. $108. (510) 451-8874.

“Café Ve-Ivrit.” Young adult gathering in Hebrew. At Red Rock Coffee, 201 Castro St., Mountain View. 7-9 p.m. $5. www.israelinthebay.org.

“Jewish Comedy Night.” Kenny Altman, Jeff Applebaum and Debbie Campo. At Congregation Beth Sholom, 301 14th Ave., S.F. $15. 8 p.m. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/43065.

singles

friday | 31

Halloween Party. Bay Area Jewish Singles Hiking Club. Co-sponsored by MenschMeet and Sierra Singles of the South Bay. Live rock ‘n’ roll, food, costumes contests. At Baylands Nature Center. 8 p.m.-12 a.m. $20. [email protected]

sunday | 2

Bagel Brunch. Peninsula Jewish Singles. At Temple Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City. 10:30 a.m. $7. RSVP to (650) 599-9677.