monday/11

Israel Ride information session. Preview of five-day Hazon/Arava Institute fundraising cycling trip from Jerusalem to Eilat, with testimonies from alumni. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7 p.m. Free. www.paloaltojcc.org or www.israelride.org

tuesday/12

“Is It Good for the Jews? — Poland and Ukraine, Past and Present.” San Francisco State Jewish studies professor Marc Dollinger discusses the complex dynamics of Jews in Eastern Europe, with observations from his travels with his daughter. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 8 p.m. $15. www.paloaltojcc.org

“Israeli Media: Agent for Equality?” Israeli film producer and LGBT activist Gal Uchovosky discusses the role of film and media in achieving LGBT equality. Presented by A Wider Bridge. At Congregation Beth Sholom, 301 14th Ave., S.F. 7:30 p.m. $8-$15. Also May 13 at Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7:30 p.m. $8-$15. www.awiderbridge.org

wednesday/13

Who wrote the Good Book? The Bible was revolutionary when it was launched, but how much do we really understand about the book today? Amichai Lau-Lavie, founder of the Storahtelling Ritual Theater Company, goes deep to make ancient stories and traditions accessible for new generations. Event is co-sponsored by Reboot, which creates new ways to identify with Jewish life.

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13 at JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. $8-$10. www.jcceastbay.org­­

“Appropriately Subversive: Traditional Religions Meet Feminism.” Discussion with Bar-Ilan University lecturer Tova Hartman, a visiting scholar at Stanford. At Margaret Jacks Hall, Bldg. 460, Terrace Room, Stanford University. 12 p.m. Free. http://jewishstudies.stanford.edu

friday/15

“The Rise of Islamic Radicalism.” Consuls general from Israel, Germany and France discuss its effects on both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. At Commonwealth Club, 555 Post St., S.F. 12 p.m. $20 nonmembers. www.commonwealthclub.org

Judaism and Zoroastrianism. Shai Secunda of Hebrew University of Jerusalem lectures on the links between the two faiths from antiquity to today. At CCSRE conference room, Building 360, Stanford University. 12:15 p.m. Free. http://jewishstudies.stanford.edu

sunday/17

“Ignite Your Mind: A Day of Jewish Learning.” Sessions include Kabbalah, yoga, art, Torah and music. Sponsored by JCC of Sonoma County and Lehrhaus Judaica. Child care available. At Finley Community Center, 2060 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa. 12:30 to 4 p.m. Free. http://catalog.lehrhaus.org

“The Recent Israeli Elections and Their Aftermath.” Kol Hadash bagel brunch features analysis by Eran Kaplan, Richard and Rhoda Goldman chair in Israel studies at SFSU. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 11 a.m. Brunch donation $10. www.kolhadash.org

“An Afternoon of Mussar: Exploring and Learning.” At Koret Pavilion, Hillel at Stanford, 565 Mayfield Ave., Palo Alto. 12:30 to 5 p.m. $54. www.bayareamussar.org

Yael Barash, AIPAC deputy regional political director. Discussion at meeting of the Middle East Information Council of Rossmoor. At Hillside Clubhouse, Rossmoor, 1001 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek. 3:30 p.m. Free. (925) 988-7700

monday/18

Middle East discussion group. Member-led, informal roundtable about current events. At Commonwealth Club, 555 Post St., S.F. 5:30 p.m. Free, but registration required. www.commonwealthclub.org

“Who Speaks for the Jews?” Yehuda Kurtzer of Israel’s Shalom Hartman Institute discusses Jewish identity. Preceded by reception and museum tours. At Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F. 6 to 9 p.m. Free, but registration required by May 14. www.tinyurl.com/hartman-kurtzer

“Appealing to Vichy: Jewish Responses to Anti-Semitic Legislation in French Colonial North Africa.” Lecture by Sophie Roberts of University of Kentucky. At CCSRE Conference Room, Building 360, Stanford University. 12 p.m. http://jewishstudies.stanford.edu

thursday/21

Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. Author of “Rebbe” discusses the impact of Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem M. Schneerson. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 7 p.m. $5-$7. www.apjcc.org/events

“Hard and Soft Power.” Lecture by Jeff Rosen, Santa Clara County district attorney. Sponsored by Sequoia chapter of Hadassah. At Congregation Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto. 7:30 p.m. $20. [email protected]