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Architecture of memory

How are newly built Holocaust museums changing the meaning and memory of the Holocaust? New York Times cultural critic Edward Rothstein and USC Shoah Foundation Institute executive director Stephen Smith will discuss the architecture and contents of a new generation of Holocaust museums, focusing on Europe.
7 p.m. Wednesday, April 18 at JCC of San Francisco, 3200 California St., S.F. Free, but reservations required. www.jccsf.org

monday/16

Peter Beinart. Author and professor discusses his book “The Crisis of Zionism.” At JCC of San Francisco, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $10-$20. www.jccsf.org.

tuesday/17

“Examining Etgar Keret.” Hebrew translator and Jewish Community High School of the Bay teacher Merav Rozenblum leads a discussion about the Israeli artist, author and subject of the ongoing exhibit “Interpreting the Interior.” At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.bjesf.org/events.htm.

“A Global View of Investing in Israel.” Investment executives discuss the opportunities and risks of investing in Israel. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 6 p.m. $25-$60. www.paloaltojcc.org.

thursday/19

“Identity Museums and the Jewish Question.” Talk by New York Times cultural critic Edward Rothstein. At Stanford University, Building 200, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford. 12 p.m. Free. www.stanford.edu/dept/jewishstudies.

friday/20

Book talk by Jay Michaelson. Author discusses “God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality.” At Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., S.F. 6 p.m. Free. www.shaarzahav.org.

sunday/22

Israel education and advocacy training workshop. To help prepare teens for life as Jewish college students. Sponsored by StandWithUs and Jerusalem Online University. At Beth Jacob Congregation, 3778 Park Blvd., Oakland. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $18 per family. www.standwithus.com.

B’nai B’rith bagel brunch. With Bill Broder, author of “Taking Care of Cleo,” a novel about two young Jewish women in Prohibition-era Detroit. At Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Ave., Berkeley. 10:30 a.m. $5, students free. (510) 655-1977.

tuesday/24

“A Jew’s Best Friend?” Phillip Ackerman-Lieberman, co-editor of “A Jew’s Best Friend? The Image of the Dog Throughout Jewish History,” will discuss the contradictory attitudes about the relationship between Jews and dogs. At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.bjesf.org.

Michael Walzer. Stanford political philosopher discusses his book “Exodus and Revolution,” which addresses the Exodus story as a model of social transformation. Aaron Roland Endowed Lecture, co-sponsored by the Oshman Family JCC. At Stanford University, Building 200, 450 Serra Mall. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.paloaltojcc.org.

“Scripture, Tradition, and the Problem of Incommensurability in Rabbinic and Early Christian Sources.” Talk by Azzan Yadin, professor of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University and an expert on biblical interpretation and origins of Midrash. At Graduate Theological Union, 2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley. 5 p.m. Free. www.gtu.edu.

wednesday/25

Book talk by Bengt Jangfeldt. Author discusses his forthcoming “Raoul Wallenberg: A Biography” about the Swedish diplomat who rescued tens of thousands of Jews in Nazi-occupied Hungary. At Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. 4 p.m. Free. www.magnes.org.

thursday/26

Book talk by Avivah Zornberg. Biblical scholar discusses “Becoming Ruth,” her novel about a character seeking to understand religious and cultural traditions. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 7:30 p.m. $5-$7. www.siliconvalleyjcc.org.