Celebrating trees up close.
Who knew that a few minutes from the tapas bars of Piedmont Avenue stands a forest primeval? Wilderness Torah, that’s who. The Berkeley-based organization, which explores Jewish spirituality through nature, will host its annual Tu B’Shevat celebration with day hikes, live music, Torah study and a holiday seder, all under the canopy of majestic redwood trees.
10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12 at Redwood Regional Park, Oakland. Meet at Skyline Gate. $30-$55. www.wildernesstorah.org
saturday/28
Israeli folk dance party. Hosted by Café Shalom. At St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 1399 43rd Ave., S.F. 7:30 p.m. $5-$8. www.groups.yahoo.com/group/cafeshalom.
Émigré Community Gala. Silent auction, dinner, dancing and live entertainment, including performances by Matisyahu and tenor George Komsky. With Jewish Family and Children’s Services. At Palace Hotel, 2 New Montgomery St., S.F. 8 p.m. $180 and up. www.jfcs.org.
sunday/29
South Bay Teen Idol. Auditions for teen vocalists grades 8-12 in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. First prize is a $2,500 scholarship. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 9 a.m. www.siliconvalleyjcc.org/idol.
Nursery school open house. At Congregation Sinai, 1532 Willowbrae Ave., San Jose. 10 a.m. Free. www.sinai-sj.org.
Gan Aviv open house. At South Peninsula Hebrew Day School, 1030 Astoria Drive, Sunnyvale. 10 a.m. Free. www.sphds.org.
Peschool open house. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 2 p.m. Free. www.siliconvalleyjcc.org/preschool.
Hazon bike ride. 10:30 a.m. Various locations; ends at Ocean Beach. Free. $10 for lunch and T-shirt. www.hazon.org.
Mitzvah fair. Local vendors for everything related to b’nai mitzvah celebrations. At Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel, 625 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. 11 a.m. Free. [email protected].
Mystery house tour. Hosted by Jews’ Next Dor. At Winchester Mystery House, 525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose. 1:30 p.m. $23. [email protected].
“Jewish Composers Through the Decades.” Broadway music trivia and sing-along with lyrics provided. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 2 p.m. $20-$30. www.paloaltojcc.org.
monday/30
Blue Monday. Young Adult Division of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund of S.F. presents a shmoozing event with nosh and happy hour specials. At Mars Bar, 798 Brannan St., S.F. 6:30 p.m. $10. www.jewishfed.org.
Camp Gan Israel info night. At private residence, 12 Abbott Way, Piedmont. 7 p.m. Free. RSVP to [email protected].
tuesday/31
Holocaust remembrance ceremony. At San Jose City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St. 1:30 p.m. Free. www.jvalley.org/jcrc.
“Knitzvah a Mitzvah.” Children ages 4-7 make yarn crafts for those in need. Includes storytime. Run by PJ Library and Jewish Family Services. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 3:45 p.m. Free. www.jvalley.org/pjlibrary.
saturday/4
Young-adult talent show. Jews’ Next Dor presents second annual fundraiser. At Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga. 7 p.m. $8-$10; children 12 and younger $5. http://wp.me/p3HcM-Rk.
Sing-along. Camp song sing-along, from “Gesher Tzar Me’od” to “Puff the Magic Dragon.” At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.jccsf.org.
sunday/5
Mah jongg. Includes potluck brunch. At Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Ave., Berkeley. 11 a.m. $15. www.mahjonggforeveryone.com.
monday/6
B’hootz intro night. Informational session about Wilderness Torah’s new program for children. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7 p.m. Free. www.jcceastbay.org.
tuesday/7
Preschool open house. At Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave., San Jose. 5 p.m. Free. www.templesanjose.org.
saturday/11
Second Saturday. S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation presents a social night for Jewish young adults. At the Cellar, 685 Sutter St., S.F. 8 p.m. $15. www.cellarsf.com.