sunday | 8
“One People Many Voices.” Ilan Vitemberg, associate director of the Israel Education Initiative, discusses Israel’s diversity. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Lane, Los Gatos. 9:30 a.m. Free. www.shirhadash.org.
“A New Voice for Israel.” J Street president Jeremy Ben-Ami discusses his book. At Congregation Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon. 10 a.m. Free. www.kolshofar.org.
Jewish Coalition for Literacy tutor training. At Jewish Federation of the Greater East Bay, 300 Grand Ave., Oakland. 10 a.m. Also Jan. 10 at Jewish Community Federation, 121 Steuart St., S.F. 5:45 p.m. Also Jan. 11 at Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 6 p.m. Free. www.jclread.org.
“Philosphers’ Café.” Tri-Valley Cultural Jews present discussion about cooperation and human nature. At Café Rumi, 4799 Heyer Ave., Castro Valley. 10:45 a.m. $5. (925) 240-5612.
“The Delegitimization of Israel.” Talk by Eli Pollak, founder and chairman of Israel’s Media Watch. At Congregation Beth Israel, 1630 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.cbiberkeley.org.
“The Arab Lobby.” Mitchell Bard discusses his book. At Congregation Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto. Free. 9:30 a.m. www.kolemeth.org. Also Jan. 9 at JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7:30 p.m. Free. RSVP to [email protected].
tuesday | 10
Joseph Skibell. Author discusses his new novel, “A Curable Romantic,” about a Jewish doctor who wanders through late 19th-century European history. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 7 p.m. Free. www.svjcc.org.
Jonathan Medved. Lecture about Israel by the co-founder and CEO of Vringo. At Fenwick and West, 801 California St., Mountain View. 7:15 p.m. Free. RSVP to [email protected].
thursday | 12
“World Economic Mega-Trends in the Year 2020.” Lecture by David Passig, futurist, academic lecturer and consultant. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7:30 p.m. $10-$15. www.paloaltojcc.org. Also Jan. 15 at Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos. 11 a.m. Free. RSVP to [email protected].
Jeremy Ben-Ami. J Street founder discusses policies regarding Israel. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Lane, Los Gatos. 7:30 p.m. Free. [email protected].
“Positioning for Power: The Tribes of Israel.” Lecture with breakfast. At Congregation Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara St., S.F. 9:30 a.m. Free. www.nertamidsf.org.
sunday | 15
Women’s seminar. Daylong event featuring guest speaker Debbie Greenblatt, Jewish educator and founder of the women’s division of Gateways, and workshops ranging from parenting to Jewish literature. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 9:45 a.m. $30-$40. www.jsn.info.
“Modern Anti-Semitism.” Rabbi Jerry Danzig gives first lecture in five-part series. At Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. 2 p.m. Free. www.bethamisr.org.
wednesday | 18
“Harvesting Life Wisdom: Empowering Seniors.” Three-session workshop led by therapist Alissa Hirshfeld-Flores. Also Jan. 25 and Feb. 1. At Santa Rosa JFCS, 1360 N. Dutton Ave. #C, Santa Rosa. Also Feb. 8, 15 and 22. At B’nai Israel Center, 740 Western Ave., Petaluma. 10:30 a.m. $60. RSVP to [email protected].
“Israel and the Arab Spring.” Lecture by Michael Nacht, professor at U.C. Berkeley’s Goldman School. At Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley. 7 p.m. Free. www.bethelberkeley.org.
Feminist Midrash in America. Taube Center for Jewish Studies at Stanford presents lecture by poet Alicia Ostriker, 2009 Jewish Book Award recipient. 8 p.m. Free. Tresidder Memorial Union, 459 Lagunita Drive, Stanford. www.stanford.edu.
thursday | 19
“Lunatics.” Jewish humor writer Alan Zweibel and author-columnist Dave Barry discuss their book. At Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F. 6 p.m. $12-$45. www.commonwealthclub.org.
Carey Perloff. Artistic director of the American Conservatory Theatre discusses her new play set in Israel, “Higher.” At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $10-$25. www.jccsf.org.
sunday | 22
Yoga and Otiyot Chayyot. Meditation and yoga based on the Hebrew alphabet. At Congregation Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon. 10 a.m. Free. www.kolshofar.org.