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Diverse discourse

In a very Berkeley move, Or Hadash’s Robin Braverman, the co-organizer of a gathering to read the Quran in response to the planned (and canceled) burning of the Muslim holy book, polled the folks who had gathered on whether they’d like to remain where they were or move closer to the park playground so that kids attending could keep busy. After some discussion, the consensus was to move. So the very diverse crowd trekked across Ohlone Park. Noted one man to his walking neighbor: “I don’t know how it is in your culture, but in mine, it’s two Jews, three opinions.”

Noting that it was Shabbat Shuvah, a time of turning, Braverman told a cheering crowd of Jews, Christians and Muslims, “We are not going to let haters take over the discourse.”

Gray streakers

San Francisco comic Lisa Geduldig says for the last six years she’s been researching and collecting stories about people, real or illustrated, who have a gray streak in their hair. It’s all in preparation for her second film, a quirky documentary (writes Geduldig) to be called “Is That Natural or Did You Dye It?” So if you have a gray streak or know someone who does, she’d love to hear from you. Contact her through her website at www.isthatnaturalordidyoudyeit.com — and check out her gray streak.

Flight of fancy

Devin Glasser Alper of Marin (no relation to the Noah’s Bagels Alpers) has opened the American Cupcake restaurant on Union Street in San Francisco, which offers a new take on the little cakes. Cupcakes are frosted and decorated at the “frosting bar” and at night they offer cupcake “flights,” pairing them with wine, beer and “bubbles.” If you prefer to get your carbs with less sugar, you can opt for savory treats such as truffle parmesan popcorn or tater tots with curried ketchup.

Short shorts

Congregation Sha’ar Zahav in San Francisco will honor Rabbi Camille Shira Angel on her 10th anniversary as the congregation’s rabbi at Shabbat services Oct. 15 … Congregation Rodef Sholom’s Rabbi Noa Kushner and Nita, her new group for Gen Xers, received a great writeup in the Marin Independent Journal in early September. Nita (Hebrew for “we will grow or plant”) meets periodically and informally in Mill Valley for pop-up Shabbats, Havdallah house parties and Storahtelling … Or Pikary  of Cupertino is one of six Yeshiva University students awarded a scholarship for a yearlong intensive research project from the Henry Kressel Research Scholarship program … Tova Adelman, Michelle Barenbaum, Jodi Rabb and Mary Rabb, all of Marin, are committee members for the Marin Symphony’s annual fundraiser, An Evening of Rapture and Rhapsody … Asher and Diane Rubin of San Rafael are honorary co-chairs of Havana Nights, a fundraiser for Image for Success, a nonprofit that provides wardrobes for individuals transitioning to self-reliance. Ken Gosliner of San Rafael and Larry Miller of Tiburon are board members … Susan Koster, executive director of Rhoda Goldman Plaza, and Renee Neuhaus, RGP’s Residents Council president, chatted with Rabbi Eric Weiss on Mosaic about the senior residence, its 10-year anniversary and the celebration taking place Oct. 6 to16. You can watch Mosaic on Oct. 17 at 5 a.m. on KPIX Channel 5.

This columnist can be reached at [email protected].