The third annual Global Day of Jewish Learning is set for Nov. 18, with some 300 communities across six continents expected to participate.

Locally, the JCC of the East Bay is hosting the most expansive program, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The day is free, but people are asked to RSVP at http://www.jcceastbay.org.

The event will feature guest lecturer Aluf Benn, chief  editor of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, speaking from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The rest of the day will be devoted to studying, learning and engaging with texts and one another. Teachers and speakers representing more than 10 Bay Area Jewish institutions will shine a light on this year’s theme: Jewish concepts of blessing and gratitude. People of all faiths and affiliations are welcome to attend.

The event will be held at the JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. A kosher vegetarian lunch meal will be served during lunchtime as Saul Kaye entertains with Jewish blues music.

For more information, contact Alli Axelrod at (510) 848-0237 or [email protected]; to see the schedule of speakers and topics, visit www.jcceastbay.org.

The Peninsula JCC in Foster City is hosting a free Global Day event from 2 to 5 p.m. Two learning sessions will be guided by Rabbi Dorothy Richman, a longtime Bay Area rabbi and educator. The PJCC is located at 800 Foster City Blvd. Visit www.pjcc.org for more information or call (650) 212-7522 to reserve a spot.

In Santa Rosa, Congregation Shomrei Torah and PJ Library are teaming up for a Global Day event aimed at kids, with storytelling and music by Melita Doostan of Octopretzel. Kids are invited to wear their pajamas to the 9 a.m. event. It’s free and will be held at Shomrei Torah, 2600 Bennett Valley Road. For more information, visit www.shomreitorah.org or call (707) 578-5519.

The inaugural Global Day of Jewish Learning in 2010 celebrated the completion of the Steinsaltz Talmud and counted participation from more than 400 communities in 48 countries.

For a full list of communities participating this year, visit www.theglobalday.com.