friday/28
Arts in Nomadic Grove. Learn the ancient poetic form of the ghazal. At Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F. 12:30 p.m. Included with admission. www.thecjm.org.
tuesday/2
Book talk by Catherine Tuerk. Author and activist speaks about “Mom Knows: Reflections on Love, Gay Pride, and Taking Action.” At Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.shaarzahav.org
wednesday/3
Book talk by Joy Ladin. Author and professor discusses “Through the Door of Life: A Jewish Journey Between Genders.” At Graduate Theological Union, 2465 Le Conte Ave., Berkeley. 12 p.m. Free. www.gtu.edu.
Book talk by Marty Brounstein. Author discusses “Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust.” At St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. 6 p.m. supper and 6:30 p.m. talk. Both free. RSVP for supper to [email protected] or (650) 854-6555.
“When Jerusalem Was Young: A Historical Perspective.” Talk by biblical scholar and Sonoma State University professor Nitzhia Shaked. First lecture in four-part series. At Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton. $10 per lecture; $36 for series. www.bethemek.org.
thursday/4
“Wartime Shanghai: A Microcosm of Eurasian Jewish Diversity.” Talk by Jonathan Goldstein, professor at University of West Georgia. At Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. 5:30 p.m. Free. www.magnes.org.
friday/5
Congressman Barney Frank. The retiring Massachusetts representative discusses the upcoming elections. At Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F. 12:30 p.m. $30-$45. www.commonwealthclub.org.
saturday/6
Josh Kornbluth. Monologist performs “Ben Franklin: Unplugged.” At Temple Israel Alameda, 3183 Mecartney Road, Alameda. 8 p.m. $25-$30. www.tinyurl.com/josh-performs.
sunday/7
Genealogy clinic. With San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society. At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 12 p.m. Registration requested. Free. www.bjesf.org/adults_events.htm.
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 Congregation B’nai Israel, 1256 Nebraska St., Vallejo. 10:45 a.m. Free. www.bnaisrael.weebly.com. Also Oct. 10 at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley. 7 p.m. Free. www.bethelberkeley.org.
thursday/11
Book talk by Madeline Levine. Author and education expert discusses “Teach Your Children Well: Parenting for Authentic Success.” At Menlo Atherton Arts Center, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton. 7 p.m. Free. www.keplers.com