saturday/5

Cantor Meeka Simerly blesses the animals at Temple Emanu-El in San Jose in 2011.

Blessing the animals Noah saved all the animals on Earth from the flood for a reason: so we could experience the joy of having them as pets. Several synagogues are holding “Blessing of the Animals” ceremonies this weekend to honor these beloved family members — furry and scaly, small and large, squeaky and growly — with songs about creation and expressions of gratitude. 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., S.F. www.shaarzahav.org/events; and 1 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley. www.bethelberkeley.org; also 11:45 a.m. Oct. 6 at Congregation Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon. (415) 388-1818.

sunday/6

“Art of Living.” Actor and storyteller Theodore Bikel sings with Cantor Roslyn Barak and performs at annual fundraiser raffle to benefit Jewish Family and Children’s Services of the East Bay. At Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland 6 p.m. $75-$300. www.jfcs-eastbay.org/event/art-living-2013.

Klezmer and comedy. The Klezmakers and comedian Samson Koletkar perform to benefit San Jose Chai House’s kosher meal program. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 2 p.m. $20-$36. www.svjcc.org.

saturday/12

Israeli folk dance party. Café Shalom presents monthly dancing and munchies. At St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 1399 43rd Ave., S.F. 7:30 p.m. $5-$8. [email protected]

“Second Saturday.” Night for Jewish young adults with dancing, drink specials and appetizers. At the Cellar, 685 Sutter St., S.F. 8 p.m. $15 includes four drinks. www.cellarsf.com.

sunday/13

“Jewish Entertainers Retrospective.” Ed Emanuel, a professor at CSU, Fresno, will discuss the impact of Jewish entertainers on Jewish culture. Benefit for Sharone Hadassah of Silicon Valley and Hadassah Hospital. At Michaels at Shoreline Restaurant, 2960 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View. 10:30 a.m. $75. (408) 226-7894.