sunday/30
Secret to a happy marriage. A stand-up comedy and storytelling show will celebrate Dani Klein Modisett’s new book “Take My Spouse, Please.” Over cocktails, fellow television comedy writers, performers and producers (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal”) will deliver comic perspectives on the value of laughter in marriage.
6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30 at Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. $20-$30. www.paloaltojcc.org/theater/take-my-spouse-please
“Creative Cuisine and its Religious Symbolism for the High Holy Days.” Presentation by chef Alison Negrin and Rabbi Debra Kohn. At Reutlinger Community, 4000 Camino Tassajara, Danville. 3:30 p.m. $18. RSVP appreciated. (925) 964-2065 or [email protected]
“Making a Divine Challah.” Challah dough-making and braiding workshop; each participant takes home a loaf to bake. Advance registration required. At Urban Adamah, 1050 Parker St., Berkeley. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $25. www.urbanadamah.org/events/making-divine-challah-august
“Radical Jewish Culture: From Music to Poetry.” Poet and performer Jake Marmer gives the annual Larry Cohen Judaic Arts lecture. Includes brunch. At Congregation Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Ave, Palo Alto. 10:30 a.m. Free. www.kolemeth.org
monday/31
Middle East discussion group. A member-led, informal roundtable discussion about current events. At Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F. 5:30 p.m. Free, but registration required. www.commonwealthclub.org
tuesday/1
“Supporting Nepal’s Recovery.” Special briefing on American Jewish World Service’s disaster relief efforts for the Nepal earthquake. At Sens restaurant, 4 Embarcadero Center, S.F. 5 p.m. Free. (415) 597-3287
wednesday/2
“A Civil Discourse: Iran Deal Discussion.” Panel presentation with Nobel laureate in physics Burton Richter and Abraham Sofaer of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. Sponsored by APJCC, Congregation Sinai and the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley. At Congregation Sinai, 1352 Willowbrae Ave., San Jose. 7 p.m. Free, but RSVP requested. [email protected]
“Rabbis Roundtable: The Meaning of Repentance.” Local rabbis share their beliefs about repentance, sin, forgiveness and the human condition. At PJCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 7 p.m. Free, but preregistration required. www.pjcc.org
saturday/5
“Return Again: Poetry Writing Workshop on Teshuvah.” Poet and Judaic scholar Marsha Falk will discuss her work and lead a poetry-writing workshop. At Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St., S.F. 7 p.m. dessert and havdallah, 7:45 p.m. workshop, 9 p.m. Selichot service. Free. www.emanuelsf.org
sunday/6
“Jewish Unity.” Talk by visiting Rabbi Eli Mansour. Co-sponsored by Anshey Sfard and Magain David San Francisco. At Congregation Anshey Sfard, 1500 Clement St., S.F. 7:30 p.m $26 suggested donation. (415) 846-6380
tuesday/8
“At the Forefront of Combating Religious Extremism in Israel.” Former Knesset member and activist Rabbi Dov Lipman will discuss the relationship between religion and state in Israel. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 7:30 p.m. $10. www.oaklandsinai.org
thursday/10
“Irrationally Yours: On Missing Socks, Pickup Lines and Other Existential Puzzles.” Humorous discussion on day-to-day human psychology with Israeli American behavioral economist Dan Ariely. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 8 p.m. $27-$37. www.tinyurl.com/jccsf-danariely
“Creating Spirituality Through Architectural Design.” Lecture by Bay Area architect Martin Bernstein, sponsored by the Sequoia chapter of Hadassah. At Congregation Emek Beracha, 4102 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. 7:30 p.m. $15. [email protected]