friday/13

Shir Hashirim: Song of Songs Minyan. Members of Diwan Saz perform ancient music as part of egalitarian Jewish Kabbalat Shabbat service. Part of Jewish Music Festival. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.jewishmusicfestival.org

saturday/14

Saturday Nights for the Soul. Havdallah gathering with interactive Jewish learning. Organized by Jewish Gateways. At  a private home in Berkeley; address given with RSVP. 7 p.m. Free. www.jewishgateways.org

sunday/15

“Mystical Seder.” Pre-Passover seder featuring “Towards Freedom: A Feminist Haggadah for Men and Women” and a kabbalistic interpretation of the story of Exodus. Led by the haggadah’s author, Heather Mendel, and cantorial soloist Ricki Weintraub. Contributions to dairy potluck dinner encouraged, but no desserts please. At Congregation Beth Israel Judea, 625 Brotherhood Way, S.F. 6 p.m. $15-$18, free for teens. www.bij.org

thursday/19

Pre-Passover seder talk. Hebrew-language discussion of the key elements of the holiday seder and their significance. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 8 p.m. $10-$15. www.paloaltojcc.org

sunday/22

JCRC Peninsula Freedom Seder to End Human Trafficking. Annual interfaith seder focuses on the Exodus from Egypt and the modern-day fight against human slavery. Meal is kosher and vegetarian. At Congregation Etz Chayim, 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto. 7 p.m. $18-$30. www.jcrc.org