Jewish breast cancer risks to be addressed

An upcoming educational forum about breast cancer prevention will include information about the BRCA mutations that frequently affect women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

Zero Breast Cancer, UCSF and San Francisco General are partnering on the forum, which will be held Feb. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Carr Auditorium, San Francisco General Hospital, 1001 Potrero Ave., S.F.

The spokeswoman for the Bay Area Young Survival Coalition, Ilana Minkoff, is Jewish and will speak during a segment addressing inherited breast cancer risk.

Other topics to be addressed include risk-reduction strategies, access to preventative health services and personal stories from young cancer survivors.

Registration is $10. For more information and to register, visit www.zerobreast cancer.org/2009forum or call Susan Schwartz at (415) 507-1949 ext. 104.

Free seminar offers job-seeking tips in S.F.

The Business Leadership Council, JCC of San Francisco and Jewish Vocational Service have teamed up for a program called “Recession-Proofing Your Career.” It’s a free panel discussion and informational seminar 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the JCCSF.

Confirmed panelists are David Crane, special adviser to the governor for jobs and economic growth, and Lisa Toppin, vice president of human resources for Charles Schwab. They will offer tips on understanding the employment market, staying networked and connected, using online tools and maintaining motivation.

The program takes place at the JCC, 3200 California Ave., S.F.. For registration and information, call (415) 782-6293.

Jewish agencies asking state to overturn Prop. 8

A number of national and Bay Area Jewish organizations have signed on to amicus briefs that argue Proposition 8 undermines the state constitution’s guarantee of equal protection for its citizens.

The briefs were submitted to the California Supreme Court. The American Jewish Committee submitted one, while Kehilla Community Synagogue in Piedmont and Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley signed on to a brief drawn up by a San Francisco law firm.

That amicus brief was submitted to the court Jan. 15 in the case Strauss v. Horton, which argues that Proposition 8, a ballot initiative passed by 52 percent of the voters Nov. 4, is invalid because the state constitution requires a more extensive process to remove fundamental rights from California citizens.

Proposition 8, which denies same-sex couples the right to marry, “is not a legitimate constitutional amendment,” said Mervyn Danker, director of the AJC chapter in San Francisco.

Community paying tribute to Bob and Bob

In a fitting end for a longstanding community resource, there will be a tribute to Judaica shop Bob and Bob on Saturday, Jan. 31.

The South Peninsula Jewish community will gather at 7 p.m. to pay tribute to the shop, which is closing after 26 years in business. Rabbis, Jewish leaders, and Bob and Bob customers will thank and honor owners Shirley and Ellen Bob for their work in the Jewish community.

The tribute is a part of the BJE Feast of Jewish Learning at Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road in Los Altos Hills. The 11th annual Peninsula Night of Jewish Unity will kick off with the Bob and Bob tribute, followed by a community Havdallah and a variety of lectures. Topics will include film, art and culture, Israel and the Middle East, and Yiddish music.

For more information on the free event, visit www.betham.org.

Class for women on King David

The life of King David will be addressed in an eight-week Merkavah Torah Institute class starting Feb. 4 at Congregation Beth Israel, 1630 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. The class is for women only.

The class will meet Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuition is $180 for the seminar, during which students will learn as a group and with chevruta, or learning partners.

For more information or to register, contact Nell at (510) 292-0175 or [email protected].

Foundation offering money for Israel trips

The Jewish Community Foundation of the Greater East Bay is offering scholarships to high school and college students for Jewish programs of travel, study or volunteering in Israel.

Students residing in Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa and Solano counties can apply. Examples of eligible trips include Let’s Go! Israel and Hebrew University’s summer ulpan.

Scholarships range from $360 to $3,000. The foundation gives an average of $78,000 in Israel scholarships each year. Upcoming deadlines to submit financial aid applications are March 2 and May 8.

For information or to receive an application, contact Polly Zavadivker at [email protected] or call (510) 839-2900, ext. 210.

Jobs workshop set

Several Jewish organizations have teamed up to offer a free seminar on how to sustain your career and salary in the midst of tough economic times.

Employment specialist Shelley Samuels of Jewish Vocational Service will provide tools and tips, such as how to fill employment gaps and how to refresh your resume, at the Feb. 10 event.

JVS is partnering with Jewish Family and Children’s Services of the East Bay to offer the workshop. Co-sponsors include Temple Isaiah in Lafayette and Congreg-ation B’nai Shalom in Walnut Creek.

The informational workshop will take place 7 p.m. at JFCS of the East Bay’s Contra Costa office, 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 200, Walnut Creek.

Space is limited and preregistration is encouraged. To sign up, visit www.jvs. org/JEN.shtml or contact Wendy Verba at [email protected].