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sunday/11

Rabbi Sheldon Lewis. Author discusses “Torah of Reconciliation.” At Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Ave., Berkeley. 3 p.m. Free. www.afikomen.com.

“Napa Valley’s Jewish Heritage.” Book presentation and slide show by authors Henry Michalski and Donna Mendelsohn. At Congregation B’nai Israel, 1256 Nebraska St., Vallejo. 2 p.m. Free. (707) 676-6068.

 “The Oy Way.” Author Harvey Gotliffe discusses his humorous guide to Yiddish. With Silicon Valley Holocaust Survivors Association. At Chai House, 814 St. Elizabeth St., San Jose. 11 a.m. Also Nov. 13 at Alef Bet Judaica Bookstore, 14103D Winchester, Blvd., Los Gatos. 7 p.m. Also Nov. 15 at Beth El Senior Friendship Club at Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. 1 p.m. All free. www.theoyway.com.

monday/12

Racelle Rosett. Author discusses “Moving Waters,” about a Reform Jewish community in contemporary Hollywood. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 7 p.m. Free. www.siliconvalleyjcc.org.

tuesday/13

“The Psychology of Jewish Humor.” Talk by psychologist Nily Shiryon. Part of Contra Costa Jewish Book Festival. 1:30 p.m. Also Nov. 20: Shiryon discusses what is wrong with the portrayal of the “Jewish woman” in comedy. 1 p.m. Free. Both at Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living, 4000 Camino Tassajara, Danville. www.jfed.org/bookfestival.

Doreen Carvajal. Author discusses “The Forgetting River,” about her search into the history of her Converso family. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.bjesf.org/adults_events.htm. (See story, 19a.)

thursday/15

Anne Cherian. Author discusses “The Invitation,” her novel set in contemporary California that explores identity. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.bjesf.org/adults_events.htm.

“Cannabis Chassidis.” Author Yosef Needleman talks about the use of drugs in Judaism and Judaism’s offshoots. At Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Ave., Berkeley. 6:30 p.m. Free. www.afikomen.com.

sunday/18

Marty Brounstein. Author discusses “Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust.” At Jewish LearningWorks, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 1:30 p.m. Free. www.bjesf.org/adults_events.htm.

“Exit Laughing.” Victoria Zackheim’s anthology features funny and intimate personal stories by Joshua Braff, Malachy McCourt, Kathi Kamen Goldmark, Ellen Sussman and others. Part of Contra Costa Jewish Book Festival. At Congregation B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. 3 p.m. $5-$7. www.jfed.org/bookfestival.