photo/creative commons-comprock

Keeping it green

How are Jewish businesses leading the sustainable food industry? In a panel discussion, “Bay Café” TV host Joey Altman, restaurant group owner Adrian Hoffman and Three Twins Ice Cream founder Neal Gottlieb will look into how businesses can thrive while maintaining respect for the environment. They’ll discuss how to keep the food system aligned with Jewish values, from farm to table, while maintaining profitability.

6 p.m. Wednesday, June 20 at Sedgwick, 333 Bush St., 30th Floor, S.F. $25-$60. www.jewishfed.org

saturday/16

Book talk by Michael Cooper. Author discusses “Foxes in the Vineyard,” his novel about a son searching for his archaeologist father on the eve of the Israeli War of Independence. At Orinda Books, 276 Village Square, Orinda. 1 p.m. Free. www.orindabooks.com.

sunday/17

“Shema-nic Journeys.” Class explores mystical meanings and practices of the Shema prayer. With Rabbi Elliot K. Ginsburg, author and professor of Jewish thought and mysticism at the University of Michigan. At Chochmat HaLev, 2215 Prince St., Berkeley. 7 p.m. $10-$18. www.chochmat.org.

“The Real Story of ‘Exodus’ 1947.” Riva Gambert of the Jewish Federation of the East Bay separates fact from fiction in Leon Uris’ novel “Exodus.” At Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont, Ave., Berkeley. With lox and bagel brunch. 10:45 a.m. $5, free for students. (510) 655-1977.

monday/18

“Jews of Kaifeng.” Part of Israel China Cultural Festival. Exhibit of maps, photos and documents opens with lecture by Cynthia Zelden, executive producer of the documentary “Safe Haven in China: The Untold History of the Jews.” At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 6 p.m. Free. Exhibit through August 31. www.israelchinasf.com.

“From Fancy Gloves to Boxing Gloves.” Talk by president of the S.F. Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society Jeremy Frankel on his ancestry. At Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.jewishgen.org.

thursday/21

“From Israel: A Car That Fuels Itself.” Talk by Israeli researcher Tareq Abu Hamed about hydrogen-powered cars. At Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 12 p.m. [email protected].

“Jews, Gender, Dress-up and Drag.” Film clips and discussion about Jewish gender through pop culture examples. At JCC East Bay, Oakland branch, 5811 Racine St. 7:30 p.m. $6-$8. www.jcceastbay.org.

sunday/24

Book talk by Sonia Korn-Grimani. Author of “Sonia’s Song” discusses her memoir about her childhood in wartime Germany and Belgium and her experiences as a refugee after the war. At Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Ave., Berkeley. 3 p.m. Free. www.afikomen.com.

tuesday/26

“A Journeying Rabbi.” Rabbi Ilana Baird discusses her time serving communities in Russia, Germany, Israel and the United States. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 7 p.m. Free. www.siliconvalleyjcc.org.