friday/28

“Reimagining the American Synagogue.” Rabbi Sid Schwarz, author of “Finding a Spiritual Home,” discusses how congregations can better engage the next generation. At Congregation Rodef Sholom, 170 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 6:15 p.m. Also March 29 at Congregation Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Dr., Tiburon. 9:30 a.m. Also March 30 at Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 9:30 a.m. All events are free. www.tinyurl.com/marinjewish.

tuesday/1

“Becoming Evil.” Professor James Waller, Cohen endowed chair of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Keene State College in New Hampshire, discusses the Holocaust. At Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. 4 p.m. Free. www.sonoma.edu/holocaust.

“Jewish Life at U.C. Berkeley.” Rabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman, director of Berkeley Hillel, discusses the organization’s mission. At Temple Isaiah, 945 Risa Road, Lafayette. 7 p.m. Free. www.temple-isaiah.org.

wednesday/2

“Continuity and Change: The Persistent Themes of the Middle East Crisis.” Professor Abraham Miller of the University of Cincinnati discusses counterterrorism in the Middle East. At Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court., Pleasanton. 7:30 p.m. $10. (510) 919-3851.

“The December Project.” Journalist Sara Davidson discusses aging and end-of-life care. At Congregation Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon. 7 p.m. Free. (415) 388-1818.

“Israeli Soldiers’ Stories.” StandWithUs brings reserve-duty Israel Defense Forces soldiers to the U.S. to discuss their experiences in the military. At S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation, 121 Steuart St., S.F. 9 a.m. Free, RSVP requested. (415) 977-7401.

sunday/6

Diggers, seekers, learners. Find out what you don’t know about Israeli archaeology, culture and education at the debut of “FED Talks.” Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of the East Bay, the program is billed as “a short, focused conversation that gets to the heart of what matters.” The opening event will feature Gil Breger of U.C. Berkeley’s Near Eastern Studies department, Zohar Avigdori of Dror Israel Akko Kibbutz and Eran Kaplan, Israel studies chair at San Francisco State University. 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 6 at the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. $18. www.jfed.org/fedtalks

“Human Rights in the Developing World.” Gavriel Elkind of American Jewish World Service discusses human rights across the world. Bagel brunch. Hosted by Kol Hadash. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 11 a.m. $10 suggested donation. www.kolhadash.org.

“S.F. Gold Rush and High Tea.” San Francisco Museum and Historical Society founder Charles Fracchia discusses Jews during the Gold Rush. At Congregation B’nai Emunah, 3595 Taraval St., S.F. 2 p.m. $5 members; $10 non-members. (415) 664-7373.

monday/7

“A Monument Man in the Courtroom: Litigating the Holocaust.” Attorney and U.C. Berkeley professor Morris Ratner discusses how reparations and “justice” is determined in a court of law for victims of major atrocities. At U.C. Santa Cruz, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz. 7 p.m. Free; RSVP recommended. www.tinyurl.com/ucsctalk.

tuesday/8

“Gender and Genocide.” Professors Carol Rittner and Marsha Raticoff discuss the role of gender in genocides.  At Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. 4 p.m. Free. www.sonoma.edu/holocaust.