saturday/17
“Spirituality and the Anxious Search for Meaning.” Lecture by Stern Memorial scholar-in-residence Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman on how Judaism is evolving in response to modern life. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 11:30 a.m. Free. www.oaklandsinai.org
sunday/18
“Babel in Zion: Jews, Nationalism and Language Diversity in Palestine.” Presentation by Liora Halperin of the University of Colorado on the shifting power relationships of language. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 4:30 p.m. Free. www.jewishcommunitylibrary.org
“JRI-Poland: Go for the Record!” Robinn Magid discusses how to use the JRI-Poland online index to find information on Polish Jewish ancestors. Sponsored by San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society. At Oakland FamilySearch Library, 4766 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. 1 p.m. Free. www.sfbajgs.org
“Jewish Perspectives on Medical Ethical Dilemmas.” Discussion on difficult issues raised by end-of-life medical care, led by hospice Rabbi Hugh Seid-Valencia. At Bothwell Center, 2466 Eighth St., Livermore. 4 p.m. $15. RSVP required. (925) 485-1049 or [email protected]
monday/19
“Let There Be Water.” Author and activist Seth M. Siegel will discuss his new book on what California and the rest of the world can learn from Israel’s water conservation techniques. Co-sponsored by Commonwealth Club. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7 p.m. $8-$50. www.paloaltojcc.org
“From Farmers to Entrepreneurs.” Hanni Arnon of the Arava International Center for Agricultural Training and Zohar Levkovitz of the mobile tech company Amobee discuss Israel’s exportation of agricultural technology and entrepreneurship to the rest of the world. Co-sponsored by Hillel of Silicon Valley and the Jewish National Fund. At San Jose State University, Student Union, 1 Washington Square. 6 p.m. Free, but RSVP required. [email protected]. Also Oct. 20, Arnon speaks at JNF event. At Congregation Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de Las Pulgas, Redwood City. 7:30 p.m. Free. (415) 677-9600 ext. 973 or [email protected]
tuesday/20
Ladino in Sarajevo. Talk by Susanna Zaraysky on “Saved by Language,” her film about Sephardic Jew Moris Albahari, who saved his life during the Holocaust by speaking Ladino. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.jewishlearningworks.org. Also Oct. 21 at the Magnes, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. 12 p.m. Free. www.magnes.org (See story, 23)
Discussion with anti-DOMA attorney. Kara Swisher interviews Roberta Kaplan, author-attorney who successfully argued against the Defense of Marriage Act before the Supreme Court. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7:30 p.m. $10-$35. www.paloaltojcc.org
thursday/22
“Do You Have One Jewish Parent?” Dawn Kepler and Rabbi Jacqueline Mates-Muchin lead a discussion about shared experiences and approaches for individuals with one Jewish parent. Sponsored by Lehrhaus Judaica. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 7:30 p.m. $10, free for members. (510) 845-6420 or oaklandsinai.org
“Taste of Judaism: Are You Curious?” Finale of a three-part introductory course led by Rabbi Laurence Elis Milder about the spirituality, ethics and community of Judaism. Part of Contra Costa Jewish Book & Arts Festival. At Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.jfed.org/underonetent
saturday/24
“Ethics and Social Justice: Jewish Ethical Literature and Contemporary Dilemmas.” Rabbi Henry Shreibman discusses social justice themes in Jewish literature and their impact on approaches to modern issues. Sponsored by Lehrhaus Judaica. At Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 3:30 p.m. Free. www.betham.org
sunday/25
Leading by choice. What’s it like to be a Jew-by-choice, a woman and a leader in the Bay Area Jewish community? J. editor Sue Fishkoff, Rabbi Susan Leider of Congregation Kol Shofar and Peg Sandel, head of school at Brandeis Marin, will talk about their journeys to Judaism and the impact on their Jewish leadership roles. S.F. State Jewish studies professor Marc Dollinger moderates.
7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 at Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. Free, sponsored by the Tiferet Fund
“Dementia Awareness: A Path for Families.” Information and support for individuals dealing with dementia and their loved ones. Sponsored by JFCS. At Congregation B’nai Emunah, 3595 Taraval St., S.F. 3 p.m. Free, but RSVP requested. (415) 664-7373 or [email protected]
“The Rise of European Jewry.” Half-hour video lecture on Judaism in the medieval and early modern era , followed by Q&A. Part of Kol Hadash’s “Between Cross and Crescent” series. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 4 p.m. Free. www.kolhadash.org
“Fermenting Deli Pickles and Sauerkraut.” Turn cucumbers into pickles, design sauerkraut and take a jar of each to ferment at home. Part of Jewish Food Series. Advance registration required. At Urban Adamah, 1050 Parker St., Berkeley. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $25. www.urbanadamah.org
“Michael Solomonov’s Modern Israeli Cuisine.” San Francisco Chronicle food critic Michael Bauer talks with the Israeli American chef about his life and career. Preceded by a complimentary wine tasting and followed by a tasting of Solomonov’s hummus. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 5 p.m. $27. www.jccsf.org
“What Makes a Home Jewish?” Discussion for couples about how to reach a balance between what each partner considers essential for a Jewish home. Sponsored by Lehrhaus Judaica. At Peninsula Temple Sholom, 1655 Sebastian Drive, Burlingame. 9 a.m. $8, free for members. (510) 845-6420
monday/26
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/27
“Breast Cancer Risk in Jewish Women.” Dr. Tiffany Svahn, oncologist-hematologist, discusses the high prevalence of certain gene mutations in Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish women and steps to manage health. Lunch included. Presented by Women of Isaiah and Diablo Valley Oncology. At Temple Isaiah, 945 Risa Road, Lafayette, 12 p.m. lunch, 12:30 p.m. presentation. Free, but RSVP requested to [email protected]
wednesday/28
“Being an Effective Health Care Advocate: For Yourself and Others.” Presented by registered nurses with Jewish Family and Children’s Services’ Seniors At Home. At Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. 5:30 p.m. Free. RSVP to Roger Hunt at (707) 571-8131 or [email protected]
“Israel Facing a Changing Middle East.” Public lecture by Itamar Rabinovich, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and president of the Israel Institute. Sponsored by Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies. At Bancroft Hotel, 2680 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 5:15 p.m. reception, 6 p.m. lecture. Free, but RSVP required. (510) 643-9552 or [email protected]
thursday/29
“The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin.” Former Newsweek Jerusalem bureau chief Dan Ephron and “This American Life” co-founder Nancy Updike lead a multimedia presentation on the life, death and lasting impact of the Israeli prime minister on the 20th anniversary of his assassination. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $27-$37. www.jccsf.org