friday | 16
“Opening the Dor: Envision East Bay’s Jewish Tomorrow.” Discussion about the future of local programs. At David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley. 6 p.m. Free. RSVP at www.eastbayjews.org/dor.
sunday | 18
“The Jews of Kurdistan.” With author Ken Blady. At Congregation B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. 10 a.m. Free. [email protected]. Jewish Coalition for Literacy volunteer training. At Jewish Federation of the East Bay, 300 Grand Ave., Oakland. 10 a.m. Free. Also Sept. 20 at Jewish Community Federation, 121 Steuart St., S.F. 5:45 p.m. RSVP to (415) 977-7414 ext. 100.
“Pre, Peri and Post: Laugh and Learn about Women’s Sexual Health.” Brunch for women. At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 11 a.m. Free for members, $18 for public. (415) 444-8000.
San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society lecture and meeting. With archivist Marisa Louie. At Congregation Beth Israel Judea, 625 Brotherhood Way, S.F. 1 p.m. Free. www.sfbajgs.org.
monday | 19
“Book Talk: Anatomy of Israel’s Survival.” Israeli journalist Hirsh Goodman discusses country’s future. Kosher lunch at 12 p.m. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 12:30 p.m. $5-$10 suggested donation, $7-$10 for lunch. RSVP to (510) 848-0237 ext. 148.
“Israel and the Arab Spring.” Commonwealth Club discussion with former New York Times Israel bureau chief Joel Brinkley. At the S.F. Club Office, 595 Market St., S.F. 5:30 p.m. Free for members, $20 for nonmembers. (415) 597-6705.
tuesday | 20
Lecture about Israel. Author and columnist Daniel Gordis, vice president of the Shalem Center in Israel. At Rossmoor Del Valle Clubhouse, 1751 Tice Creek Drive, Walnut Creek. 3 p.m. Free. (925) 938-4738. Also at JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7:30 p.m. $10-$36. (415) 889-5661.
“Jewish Peoplehood: A Jerusalem-Berkeley Conversation.” Panel discussion. Graduate Theological Union of Berkeley. At Church Divinity School of the Pacific, 2401 Ridge Road, Berkeley. 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. talk. Free. www.gtu.edu/cjs.
wednesday | 21
Book signing. Michael David Lukas will read from his first novel, “The Oracle of Stamboul,” about a Jewish adviser to the Sultan during the Ottoman Empire. At Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley. 7 p.m. Free. (510) 848-3988.
“How to Fix a Broken Life.” Lecture by Rabbi Ahron Hecht. At Richmond Torah Center, 423 10th Ave., S.F. 7:30 p.m. Free. (415) 386-8123.
thursday | 22
“Blood, Ghosts and Harlotry: Shocking Scenes from the Torah.” Part of a biblical series. Includes breakfast. At Congregation Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara St., S.F. 9:30 a.m. Free. (415) 661-3383
“Love and Passion in the Biblical World.” Lecture by Jehon Grist of Lehrhaus Judaica. Part of East Bay Jewish Forum series. At Temple Beth Abraham, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 9:45 a.m. $10. (510) 839-2900.
Book signing. Pulitzer Prize–winner Michael Chabon presents his new children’s book, “The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man.” At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 7 p.m. $5-$28. www.marinjcc.org.