friday/22
Good things come in trees. If you want to pay homage to trees on Tu B’Shevat, the choices are plentiful. For an ecological perspective, the Kol Hadash Humanistic seder features a guest speaker from the Presidio Trust while Beyt Tikkun’s seder will address conservation. And Congregation Beth Jacob’s celebration is family-style, with activities for kids and parents. Go ahead — branch out!
Kol Hadash seder, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22 in Albany. www.kolhadash.org; Beyt Tikkun potluck vegetarian seder, 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 24 in Berkeley. RSVP requested. www.beyttikkun.org; Beth Jacob Tu B’Shevat celebration, 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24 in Redwood City. $5-$10. www.bethjacobrwc.org/cbj
“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 Yudof 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
“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
Opening notes on Mendelssohn. The Magnes kicks off “The Mendelssohn Project,” an ambitious series of lectures and performances showcasing the illustrious German Jewish musical family. The project, in collaboration with U.C. Berkeley through April 12, includes the exhibit “From Mendelssohn to Mendelssohn,” music performed on historic pianos and talks by visiting academics. Exhibit runs through June 24.
5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26 at the Magnes, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. Free, but RSVP requested. www.bit.ly/magnesopening2016
“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. Also Feb. 3, “Creating Sacred Community.” At Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 2 p.m. Both programs free, but preregistration required. (650) 378-2764 or www.pjcc.org (See story, 6)
friday/29
“The Pursuit of Harmony.” Three-day event for adults and kids opens with Shabbat dinner, service, discussion and songs by Jewish American songwriter Michael Hunter Ochs and Palestinian recording artist-peace activist Alaa Alshaham. At B’nai Israel Jewish Center, 740 Western Ave., Petaluma. 6 p.m. Dinner $30 (under 12 free). Also Jan. 30 concert at Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 20 Fourth St. 7 p.m. $30. Also Jan. 31 workshops at B’nai Israel. 11 a.m. percussion circle (children) and 2 p.m. workshop (adults). Free. (707) 762-0340 or [email protected] (See story, 23)
saturday/30
“Never the Last Road: A Partisan’s Life.” Fred Rosenbaum discusses his new book co-written with Mira Shelub about her life and escape from Nazi-occupied Europe. Co-sponsored by Lehrhaus Judaica. At Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton. 7:30 p.m. $10 suggested donation. (510) 845-6420 or www.bethemek.org
sunday/31
“Cultural Transformation in the Italian Ghetto.” David Ruderman of the University of Pennsylvania presents a history of the Jews of the Venice ghetto in a half-hour video lecture, followed by discussion. 3 p.m. Free. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. (510) 982-1455 or www.kolhadash.org
“Simple Magic: The Art of Remy Charlip.” Musical presentation by Seth Eisen about the life and work of the gay Jewish artist-choreographer. Co-sponsored by Keshet. At Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., S.F. 4 p.m. Free.
www.tinyurl.com/remy-charlip
“Jewbilee: A Day of Jewish Learning.” Classes, workshops and performances for all age groups. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 1 to 8 p.m. $5, free for members and children under 5. Child care included. www.apjcc.org/jewishlife/jewbilee-a-day-of-jewish-learning
“Documenting the Vilna Ghetto Library.” Presentation by Judy Baston on the history and legacy of the library established in the Vilna Ghetto in 1941. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 1:30 p.m. Free. www.jewishcommunitylibrary.org
monday/1
“If I Were You: Dancers Across Borders.” Choreographer Casey Lee Thorne will discuss dance as a vehicle of activism and social justice in Israel and Palestinian areas. At Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 2 p.m. $4. Registration suggested. www.pjcc.org
tuesday/2
Rabbi Kerry Olitzsky. The executive director of Big Tent Judaism will lead a community conversation about alternative financial and membership models for synagogues. At B’nai Israel Jewish Center, 740 Western Ave., Petaluma. 7 p.m. Free. (212) 760-1440 or [email protected]
thursday/4
“How to Be a Balaboosta.” Cooking workshop that covers vegetable kreplach, apple-noodle kugel and potato knishes. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $50-$55. www.jccsf.org
“Israeli Society in the 21st Century.” Presentation on ethnic diversity in Israel by Brown University professor Calvin Goldscheider. At the Warren Room, 295 Boalt Hall, U.C. Berkeley. 5:30 p.m. reception, 6 p.m. lecture. Free, but registration required. www.tinyurl.com/israel-diversity
“Sounds From the End of the Earth: Jewish Music in Today’s Chile.” Presentation by Rabbi Reuben Zellman on Chilean Jewish musical culture and the challenges it faces in the modern Latin American world. Co-presented by Lehrhaus Judaica. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.jewishlearningworks.org