saturday/16
Scholar-in-residence weekend. Lectures by Johanna Wilder, Michael Harris and Max Samarov of the Israel advocacy organization StandWithUs about the issues facing Israel and how American Jews can be more effective in educating others. At Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Drive, Santa Rosa. 1 and 6 p.m. Also Jan. 17 at 1:30 p.m. Free. www.israelupdate.info
sunday/17
“Reproductive Justice Through a Jewish Lens.” Screening of “After Tiller,” detailing the work of abortion doctors in the aftermath of Dr. George Tiller’s murder, followed by a panel discussion with Rabbi Menachem Creditor, Dr. Shelley Sella and representatives from the Sea Change program and Access. At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 6:30 p.m. Free.www.netivotshalom.org
“Ending Human Trafficking: Cultural Approaches.” Panel discussion includes Merav Shmueli, Israel’s national anti-trafficking coordinator, Congressman Mike Honda and Santa Clara County DA Jeff Rosen. At Levy Family Campus, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 7 p.m. Free. www.tinyurl.com/trafficking-los-gatos
thursday/21
BLC Networking at the CJM. Annual networking event for the Business Leadership Council of the Jewish Community Federation, featuring museum tours, wine, hors d’oeuvres and a cowboy serenade. At Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F. 5:30 p.m. $36-$50. www.tinyurl.com/blcnetworking
“Doomed to Succeed.” Former Middle East peace envoy Dennis Ross discusses his new book about the history of the U.S.-Israel relationship. At Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St., S.F. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.emanuelsf.org
“Embracing Imperfection: T’Shuvah as Judaism’s Antidote to Perfectionism.” Presentation by leaders of Beit T’Shuvah, a residential addiction treatment center in Los Angeles. At Congregation Rodef Sholom, 170 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael, Free. 7 p.m. [email protected] or (415) 479-3441
“Current Dilemmas in Exhibiting Art in Israel.” Presentation by Noam Gal of the Israel Museum on the state of contemporary photography and video in Israel. At Congregation Beth Sholom, 301 14th Ave., S.F. 7 p.m. $10. www.tinyurl.com/art-in-israel
“Love & Religion: A Workshop for Interfaith Couples.” First of a four-part course with Rabbi Mychal Copeland of InterfaithFamily. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $64-$80. (415) 292-1286 or [email protected]
friday/22
“Israel and European Union Relations.” Ravit Baer, Israel’s deputy consul general for the Pacific Northwest, in conversation with John Diaz of the San Francisco Chronicle. At Commonwealth Club, 555 Post St., S.F. 11:30 a.m. reception, 12 p.m. program. $20 nonmembers. www.commonwealthclub.org
saturday/23
“Where Are Our Universities Headed?” Panel discussion with former U.C. president Mark Yudoff and others about the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement on college campuses. Part of Contra Costa Jewish Book & Arts Festival. At Contra Costa JCC, 1701 Tice Valley Blvd., Lafayette. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.jfed.org/underonetent
sunday/24
Jewish life under siege? How real are extremist threats to Jews in Europe and elsewhere? How potent are the voices of moderation? “Jewish Life in an Era of Extremism,” an afternoon of panels, workshops and talks, will grapple with these and other concerns. Presenters include Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joby Warrick. Co-presented by Lehrhaus and Osher Marin JCC.
1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24 at Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. Free, but preregistration highly recommended. www.tinyurl.com/lehrhaus-MarinJCC
“The Poetry of Yehuda Amichai.” Presentation on the life and work of the late Israeli poet by U.C. Berkeley professor Robert Alter. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St. S.F. 1:30 p.m. Free. www.jewishcommunitylibrary.org
tuesday/26
“Rethinking the Left’s Jewish Question.” Tony Michels, University of Wisconsin-Madison Jewish history professor, discusses shifting opinions of Zionism on the Jewish left. In CCSRE Conference Room, Bldg. 360, Stanford University. 4:15 p.m. Free. http://jewishstudies.stanford.edu
thursday/28
“Dancing With God When Life Hurts.” Presentation by Rabbi Wayne Dosick, North Peninsula Jewish community’s 2016 scholar-in-residence. At Wornick Jewish Day School, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 7 p.m. Free. (650) 378-2764