Speaking loudly

U.C. campuses can seem like ground zero for testing the First Amendment. There has been shouting down of Israeli officials, debates over divesting from Israel, and numerous issues involving the line between free speech and harassment. How far is too far and when should the administration step in? Outgoing U.C. President Mark Yudof (pictured) will discuss freedom of speech on Feb. 13 in an American Jewish Committee event.

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 at California Historical Society, 678 Mission St., S.F. $20-$30. RSVP at www.ajcsanfrancisco.org/yudof

saturday/9

Russ Feingold. The former U.S. senator discusses “The Citizens United Decision and the Role of Corporate Money in the American Political Process.” At Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 4 p.m. (650) 326 – 6328.

sunday/10

“Harry and Zion.” Talk by Riva Gambert, director of the Partnership for Israel at the Jewish Federation of the East Bay, on President Harry Truman and the creation of the State of Israel. At Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Ave., Berkeley. 10:30 a.m. $5 with brunch. www.afikomen.com.

“On Weapons and Wickedness.” Talk on gun control by Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe, dean of the Institute of American and Talmudic Law. At South Peninsula Hebrew Day School, 1030 Astoria Drive, Sunnyvale. 7 p.m. Free. RSVP at www.chabadsunnyvale.com/LectureRSVP.

“Reel Muslims and Jews.” Afternoon workshops and screenings on how Muslims and Jews are depicted in American television and movies. At Easton Hall, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, 2401 Ridge Road., Berkeley. 2 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Free. www.gtu.edu.

tuesday/12

“Israel’s Contributions to Humanity.” Talk by Gideon Lustig, deputy consul general of Israel to the Pacific Northwest. At Missouri Street Theatre, 1125 Missouri St., Fairfield. Also Feb. 19 Roberta Seid, StandWithUS director of research and education, discusses “Anti-Israel Activism and Anti-Semitism on California Campuses” Both 7 p.m. $10 each. www.jewishsolano.com/israelcourse.

Panel discussion on anxiety. With Daniel Smith, author of “Monkey Mind,” and psychologists Raja Hornstein and Daniel Kalb. At Osher Marin JCC, 200 North San Pedro Rd., San Rafael. 7 p.m. $12-$15. www.marinjcc.org. Also Feb. 13 Daniel Smith speaks at Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7:30 p.m. $20-$25. www.paloaltojcc.org. Also Feb. 14 at the Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. Free. www.jewishlearningworks.org/library/adult-events. (See story, 20)

“Judaism and Positive Psychology.” First in a four-part class taught by psychotherapist and teacher of Jewish mysticism Estelle Frankel. At Lehraus Judaica, 2736 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 7 p.m. $25 each. www.lehrhaus.org.

friday/15

Talks on Jews in the Arab World. By Middle East scholar and author Joseph Braude. At Congregation Beth Israel, 5716 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. 6:45 p.m. Also Feb. 16 at Congregation Beth Israel 7 p.m. Also Feb. 17 at Congregation Beth Israel at 10:30 a.m. Also Feb. 19 at Stanford Hillel, 565 Mayfield Ave., Stanford. 7 p.m. Also Feb. 20 at JCC of San Francisco, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. All Free. www.jimena.org.

sunday/17

“From DNA to Genetic Genealogy.” Talk on DNA and how it can help in genealogy research. San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society event. At Oakland FamilySearch Library, 4766 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. 1 p.m. Free. www.sfbajgs.org.

“Storytelling for Social Change.” Poet, scholar and activist Josh Healey leads an interactive arts workshop. In San Francisco, 10:30 a.m. Free. RSVP for location to [email protected]

tuesday/19

“Our Jewish Childhood in Wartime Shanghai.” Talk by siblings Deborah Strobin and Ilie Wacs on their experiences in Shanghai after fleeing Nazi Austria. In conversation with Leah Garchik of the San Francisco Chronicle. At JCC of San Francisco, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. Reservations required. www.jccsf.org.

wednesday/20

Israeli Consul General Andy David. Discusses “Israel: The Complex Road Ahead.” At Temple Isaiah, 945 Risa Road, Lafayette. 7:30 p.m. Free, RSVP required to Jessica Sterling at [email protected] www.jcrc.org.

“The New War Against Israel.” Jonathan Carey of Blue Star discusses media representations of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. At Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton. 7:30 p.m. $10. www.bethemek.org.

Interracial and intercultural couples’ discussion group. First in a seven-session weekly group led by Building Jewish Bridges. At Lehrhaus Judaica, 2736 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. $120 per couple. http://buildingjewishbridges.org/?p=2224.

thursday/21

“Love, Hate and the Jewish State 2.0.” Dialogue for Jews in their 20s and 30s on social justice in Israel. At Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market St., S.F. 7 p.m. $5. Order tickets online: www.nif.org/lovehate.