saturday/14

“Valentine in the Middle East.” Israeli director-playwright Udi Ben Seadia uses movie clips to discuss how love has transcended political and social controversies in the Middle East. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 8 p.m. $13-$18. www.paloaltojcc.org.

wednesday/18

“Speed Talmud: Talmud on One Foot, Jewish Philosophy on the Other.” Lehrhaus Judaica class presented by Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan. At Temple Isaiah, 945 Risa Road, Lafayette. 7 p.m. Free. (510) 845-6420.

thursday/19

“Jews, Food, and Family in 20th-Century San Francisco.” Erica J. Peters, director of Culinary Historians of Northern California, talks about historic Jewish food havens in San Francisco. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.jewishcommunitylibrary.org. (See note, 21)

“The Kerry Initiative: What Went Wrong and Pathways Forward.” Dr. Stanley Wulf, past president of Congregation Beth Israel and member of J Street’s national advisory council, discusses peace in the Middle East. At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.netivotshalom.org.

Technology talk. Author and futurist Barry Minkin speaks. Sponsored by Silicon Valley Senior Singles. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 1 p.m. Free. www.svjcc.org.

sunday/22

Israel and BDS. Panel discussion about the boycotts, divestment and sanctions movement, with Andy David, Israel’s consul general to the Pacific Northwest, S.F. State University professor Eran Kaplan and state Assemblyman Marc Levine. At Congregation Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon. 10 a.m. Free. (415) 388-1818.