sunday/3
“Jewish Wisdom at Journey’s End.” Temple Sinai’s Rabbi Andrew Straus leads discussion of traditions in burial and mourning. Also includes practical information, Q&A session, historic cemetery tour and truffles. At Chapel at Home of Eternity, 5000 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. 1 p.m. Free; registration required. [email protected].
“The Crusades and the Jews.” Half-hour video lecture followed by Q&A about the impact of the Crusades on European Jewish communities in 1096. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 4 p.m. Free. www.kolhadash.org.
“Philosophers’ Café/Culture Chat.” Tri-Valley Cultural Jews discuss the future of Jews in the United States. At Café Rumi, 4799 Heyer Ave., Castro Valley. 10:45 a.m. $5 suggested donation for nonmembers. (925) 240-5612.
tuesday/5
“Three Rabbis Walk into a Room.” Rabbis from Reform, Conservative and Orthodox congregations answer questions about a range of Jewish topics. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $12-$15. www.jccsf.org.
wednesday/6
“Lunch & Learn.” Discussion about American isolationism leading up to World War II with Riva Gambert. Lunch served before talk. At Temple Isaiah, 945 Risa Road, Lafayette. 11:45 a.m. Free. www.temple-isaiah.org.
thursday/7
“Pathways to Peace: American Leadership and the Arab-Israeli Conflict.” Former U.S. ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer and J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami discuss the U.S. role in brokering peace between Israel and the Palestinians. At Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.emanuelsf.org.
sunday/10
“Anti-Semitism in the 21st Century.” Seth Brysk, ADL Central Pacific regional director, leads a presentation at the Kol Hadash bagel brunch. Followed by Q&A. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 11 a.m. $10 suggested donation. www.kolhadash.org.
“Broken Glass, Shattered Communities.” Symposium on 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Led by Lehrhaus Judaica, with 12 survivors. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 1-5 p.m. Free; registration required. www.lehrhaus.org. (See story, 2)
“Kristallnacht: Precursor to the Holocaust.” Featuring survivors, historian. At Congregation Shomrei Torah, 2600 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. 3:30 p.m. Free. www.shomreitorah.org. (See story, 8)
tuesday/12
“What We Can Learn from the Jewish Political Tradition.” Professor Michael Walzer discusses Jewish tradition and its application in contemporary law. At U.C. Berkeley School of Law. Reception at 5:15 p.m., talk at 6 p.m. Free; RSVP requested. www.law.berkeley.edu/10101.htm.
thursday/14
“Is That Really Gluten Free?” Panel discussion with gluten-free cooks and an array of catered gluten-free desserts. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 7 p.m. $5-$7. www.svjcc.org.
“Prospects for Peace.” Diplomat and author Dennis Ross speaks about the possibilities for peace in the Middle East. At U.C. Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall, Berkeley. 4 p.m. Free; RSVP requested. www.law.berkeley.edu/10101.htm.