“Living in the differences”
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi grew up in the Chabad/Lubavitcher movement and in 1949 began outreach efforts to Jewish college students. This led Reb Zalman to follow the wave of alternative thinkers who journeyed to India to seek enlightenment with yogis and gurus. Ultimately, Reb Zalman became a Sufi shaykh, or spiritual guide, and founded the Jewish Renewal movement. Reb Zalman will speak at a three-day symposium honoring him, held by the Starr King School for the Ministry. The symposium will explore how multi-religious life can be a viable option for religious leaders.
Aug. 21 through Aug. 23 at Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California, 1433 Madison St., Oakland. Also
6 p.m. Aug. 23 at Kehilla Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Oakland. www.sksmstudents.com.
sunday/12
Book talk by Mani Feniger. Author discusses “The Woman in the Photograph: The Search for My Mother’s Past” about her 20-year project reconstructing the life of her German-Jewish mother. At Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Ave., Berkeley. 3 p.m. Free. www.afikomen.com.
“The Poetry of Yehuda Amichai.” Chana Kronfeld, professor of Comparative Literature at U.C. Berkeley, discusses her forthcoming book. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 11 a.m. $10 admission includes brunch. (510) 428-1492. www.kolhadash.org.
Conversation on Proposition 34. Jewish War Veterans, Post 60, sponsors talk on initiative to replace the death penalty with life sentence with no chance of parole. At Moldaw Family Residences, Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 11 a.m. Free. (650) 223-7187.
friday/17
Book talk with Marty Brounstein. Author discusses “Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust.” At Congregation Etz Chayim, 4161 Alma Street, Palo Alto. 7:30 service, 8:30 talk. (650) 813-9094. Also Aug. 22 at Pleasant Hill Adventist Church, 800 Grayson Road, Pleasant Hill. 7 p.m. (925) 934-5803.
sunday/19
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 Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Avenue, Berkeley. 3 p.m. Free. www.afikomen.com.
“The Process and Ethics of Kosher Meat.” Lecture and workshop with certified kosher slaughterer Yadidya Greenberg. At Urban Adamah, 1050 Parker St., Berkeley. 4:30 p.m. $10. Register in advance at www.urbanadamah.org.
Knitzvah. Knitters, crocheters and sewers meet to make items for charities. At Chai House, 814 Saint Elizabeth Drive, San Jose. 10:30 a.m. [email protected] or www.jvalley.org.
Genealogy workshops. “How Spreadsheets Can Help Your Research.” At Oakland Family History Center, 4766 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. 12:30 p.m. Also Aug. 20. “Google and Genealogy.” At Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 7:30 p.m. Both free events of the San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society. www.jewishgen.org/sfbajgs/.
thursday/23
“No Grocery Store in Sight.” Panel on food access in East Bay neighborhoods. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. $5 suggested. www.jcceastbay.org.