J.’s new calendar, and another new column

Readers may have noticed recently that we’ve extended the reach of our weekly calendar, in light of U.S. Postal Service delays. This week, on page 26a, we unveil a new look for the calendar. It now runs for 17 days, to help you plan ahead, and includes “J. Picks,” where we highlight events of particular note. And on page 31a, we are launching “Then and Now,” a look back at Bay Area Jewish history. We thank the good folks at the Contemporary Jewish Museum for providing this column, which runs in conjunction with the museum’s exhibit “California Dreaming: Jewish Life in the Bay Area from the Gold Rush to the Present.” Enjoy!

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“Anna Sokolow in Israel.” Opening reception for photographic exhibit exploring work of Jewish feminist choreographer who used dance to explore social issues. Diane Frank of Stanford dance department speaks about Sokolow’s Jewish heritage and work in Israel. At Hillel of Stanford, 565 Mayfield Ave., Stanford. 6:30 p.m. Free. http://hillel.stanford.edu.

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“Bernard Zakheim: Art of Prophetic Justice.” Photo exhibit explores life and work of the Jewish muralist. Through March 29. “The Israelis.” Photographic portraits by Mark Tuschman. Through Feb. 2. At Oshman Family JCC,  3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. www.paloaltojcc.org.

“Black Sabbath.” Studio exhibit on black-Jewish ties in recorded music. Through Feb. 28. “California Dreaming.” Multimedia exhibit exploring Jewish life in the Bay Area from Gold Rush to present. Through Oct. 16. “Stanley Saitowitz: Judaica.” New perspectives from the S.F.-based architect. Through Oct. 16. At Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F. www.thecjm.org.

“Courage to Remember.” Traveling photo exhibit from  the Museum of Tolerance. Through Feb 16. At Cal State East Bay, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward. www.couragetoremember.com.

“A Dancer’s Scrapbook, 1928-1933.” Pictures of Rose Yasgour, a pioneer of modern dance. Through Feb. 23. At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. (415) 567-3327.

“Harissa, Honey and Hyssop: The Food of North Africa.” Photography exhibit by Israeli Nelli Sheffer. Through Jan. 30. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. www.jccsf.org.

“King Solomon Tarot Cards.” Paintings by Israeli artist Orna Ben-Shoshan. Through April 1. At Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. www.pjcc.org.

“Memories.” Digital photo-collage portraits by Israeli Gideon Spiegel. Through Feb. 29. At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. www.marinjcc.org.

“Pictures of Resistance: The Wartime Photographs of Jewish Partisan Faye Schulman.” Exhibit of historic photographs. Through Feb. 28. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 7:30 p.m. Free. [email protected]

“Rita Sargen Simon Retrospective, 1924-2005.” Works in steel, bronze, ceramic and Plexiglas. Through Feb. 5. At Jewish Heritage Museum at Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living, 4000 Camino Tassajara, Danville. www.rcjl.org.

“Spectacles of Devotion.” Barry Shapiro’s photo-collage images of religious devotion. Through Feb. 29. Art for sale, with a percentage to benefit JCC. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. www.svjcc.org.

“Yehudith and the Grandfathers.”15-part video installation by mother-daughter artists Carolyn Radlo and Alanna Simone about Jewish women and the Holocaust. Through Jan. 29. At California Institute of Integral Studies, 1453 Mission St., S.F. www.ciis.edu.