Fire up the barbecue

Coming right up is Lag B’Omer — the festive holiday that celebrates the 33rd day of counting the omer and commemorates sage and mystic Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (he wrote the Zohar) along with the fighting Jewish spirit. Communities around the Bay Area, including those listed below, will celebrate the holiday with bonfires, music and picnics.

Chabad of Contra Costa, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 9 at 1671 Newell Ave., Walnut Creek. $10. www.jewishcontracosta.com; Chabad of the Tri-Valley, 5 p.m. Thursday, May 10 at Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton. $15. www.jewishtrivalley.com; Chabad of the East Bay, 5 p.m. Thursday, May 10 at Padre Picnic site in Tilden Park, Berkeley. $15. www.chabadberkeley.org; Jewish Study Network, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10 at Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. $10. www.tinyurl.com/7nbsd6e

sunday/6

Hillel house opening gala. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, entertainment and auction to celebrate new facility for Hillel of Davis and Sacramento. At Hillel house, 328 A St., Davis. 4:30 p.m. $125. www.hillelhouse.org.

Contemporary Jewish Museum kids’ day. Stories, art gallery explorations and sing-alongs with Camp Tawonga song leader Isaac Zones. Separate events for preschoolers through teens. At Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free for children. www.thecjm.org.

tuesday/8

Anniversary celebration. The Merkavah Torah Institute for women holds a siyyum, marking the completion of a unit of Torah study. At Congregation Beth Israel, 1630 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. [email protected].

thursday/10

Hazon California Ride. Hazon’s third annual environmental bike ride fundraiser from Sonoma County to San Francisco includes two days of riding and a Shabbat retreat. Accommodates a variety of cycling levels. Minimum sponsorship required. Through May 13. www.hazon.org.