saturday/5

Jewish a cappella groups. Tufts University’s Shir Appeal performs. At Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central, Richmond. Followed by dessert potluck. 6:45 p.m. Free. (510) 223-2560. Also Jan. 6. Shir Appeal performs with University of Pennsylvania’s Shabbatones. At Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 2 p.m. $10; free for 13 and younger. www.pjcc.org. Also 5 p.m. Shabbatones perform at Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga. $8-$10. www.svjcc.org. Also 7 p.m. Shir Appeal performs at Congregation Beth Israel, 1630 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. $5-$10. [email protected] (See story, 19)

thursday/17

Emerging Jewish voices. Freestyle musician and storyteller Joti Shephi and his band kick off a new series of monthly performances at the JCC. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7 p.m. $15. www.jcceastbay.org.