Neurotic? Jewish? Happy New Year!

Attending a New Year’s Eve performance by monologist Josh Kornbluth might not be the most orthodox way to ring in 2013: Kornbluth admits he has a deep fear of transitions, and his show, “Red Diaper Baby,” is about growing up
believing he would one day have to lead a Communist revolution in America. But if Kornbluth was able to pull off his neurotic transition into adulthood, surely we can all make it to the new year, one way or another.

7 and 10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31 at Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave., Alameda. $30-$40. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/286953

sunday/6

“Saadia Gaon and His World.” Video lecture and discussion about the prominent ninth-century Jewish biblical scholar’s life and work. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 4 p.m. Free. www.kolhadash.org.

Philosophers’ Café. Discussion of ethical issues hosted by Tri-Valley Cultural Jews. At Café Rumi, 4799 Heyer Ave., Castro Valley. 10:45 a.m. $5 suggested donation. www.trivalleyculturaljews.wordpress.com.

tuesday/8

“A Summing Up.” Lecture and workshop led by artist Susan Duhan Felix in conjunction with the exhibit “A Retrospective: Then and Now” (see Ongoing). At the Jewish Heritage Museum at the Reutlinger, 4000 Camino Tassajara, Danville. 1:30 p.m. Free. (925) 648-2800.

wednesday/9

“Israelis at the Polls: Short-Term Prospects, Long-Term Developments.” Talk by San Francisco State Israel Studies professor Eran Kaplan. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 8 p.m. Free. RSVP required to [email protected] www.jvalley.org/jcrc.