sunday/1

Shofar making. Create your own shofar from an animal horn and learn how to use it. At Chabad of Oakland and Piedmont, 3908 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. 2 p.m. $18 per shofar. www.jewishoakland.org.

sunday/8

“What’s a Secular Jew?” Informational meeting and bagel brunch led by the Tri-Valley Cultural Jews discussing what it means to be a Jew without being religious. At Bothwell Arts Center, 2466 Eighth St., Livermore. 10:30 a.m. Free. RSVP recommended. (925) 485-1049.

monday/9

“The Middle East Turmoil and Israel.” Discussion of Israel’s geopolitical situation in the Middle East with Andy David, consul general for Israel in the Pacific Northwest, and Janine Zacharia, former Middle East correspondent for the Washington Post. At Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market St., S.F. 5:30 p.m. $20; members free. www.commonwealthclub.org.