sunday/6
“Is There a Jewish Mythology?” Professor Howard Schwartz of the University of Missouri-St. Louis discusses mythological traditions of Judaism. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 1:30 p.m. Free. www.jewishcommunitylibrary.org. Also March 7 at Chochmat HaLev, 2215 Prince St., Berkeley 7:30 p.m. $12-$15. www.chochmat.org
“Jewish Life in Poland: An Enduring Legacy.” Day of presentations about Holocaust education, Yiddish music, art and more. At University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton St., S.F. 2 to 6 p.m. Free, but registration required. www.jewishlearningworks.org
“History of the Jews in San Francisco and Sonoma County.” Lecture by political analyst and radio host John Rothmann. Part of Congregation Shir Shalom 20th anniversary lecture series. At Shir Shalom, 252 W. Spain St., Sonoma. 2 p.m. $15-$20. www.shir-shalom.org
“Zionism’s Answer to the Jewish Problem.” Video lecture by David Ruderman, professor of modern Jewish history at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by discussion. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 3 p.m. Free. www.kolhadash.org
monday/7
“The Courage to Do What Is Right.” Lt.-Gen. Roméo Dallaire discusses his work helping to save more than 30,000 people during the Rwandan genocide, his insights into the current Syrian crisis and the impact of everyday decisions on the world. At University of San Francisco’s Presentation Theater, 2350 Turk St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free but registration required. www.register.usfca.edu/dallaire
tuesday/8
“The Jewish Ballerina and the Stalinist Regime.” Presentation by dance researcher and critic Guy Baum on the life and success of prima ballerina Maya Plisetskaya. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.jewishcommunitylibrary.org (See story, 20)
“Torah in Motion.” Julie Emden leads free-form movement and dance workshop around the themes of Torah and the month of Adar. No dance experience necessary. At Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 7 p.m. $15. www.pjcc.org
wednesday/9
Israel Ride info session. Educational seminar about five-day cycling trip from Jerusalem to Eilat in November, sponsored by Arava Institute and Hazon. At Temple Beth Torah, 42000 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont. 7 p.m. Free, RSVP appreciated. www.tinyurl.com/israel-ride-2016
thursday/10
What’s behind our masks? Purim, the most joyous holiday on the Jewish calendar, offers a chance to try on new identities. In “Masking and Unmasking for Purim,” led by Rabbi Adina Allen and Jeff Kosowitz of Jewish Studio Project, adults 21 and older will enjoy an interactive mask-making experience plus wine and hamantaschen. Participants will leave with a new mask plus insights into the holiday and themselves.
7 p.m. Thursday, March 10 at Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. $5-$7. www.paloaltojcc.org/purimmasks
friday/11
“Autism and Jewish Culture.” Ruti Regan, a rabbinic student with autism, talks about creating a more respectful and inclusive Jewish community. At Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 9:15 a.m. Free, breakfast included. Also at Congregation Beth Am, 26970 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 12 p.m. Free, lunch included. www.jewishlearningworks.org/events
sunday/13
“Yiddish Song from the Pale to New York.” Bay Area musician Ben Brussell lectures on the history of Jewish folk song at Kol Hadash bagel brunch. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 11 a.m. Brunch donation $10. www.kolhadash.org
Israel Technology Forum. Showcasing Israel’s contributions, with presentations by local Israeli tech firms and Q&As. At Congregation Beth Sholom, 301 14th Ave., S.F. 3 p.m. $10. www.universe.com/israeltechforum
“How Religion Divides and Unites Americans.” Harvard professor Robert Putnam offers a nuanced view on why religion is “basically good for the Jews.” At Levinthal Hall, Stanford Humanities Center, Stanford University. 5 p.m. Free. http://jewishstudies.stanford.edu
“Everyone in God’s Image.” Half-day seminar on creating a more inclusive Jewish community for people with special needs. At Peninsula Temple Sholom, 1655 Sebastian Drive, Burlingame. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. $20, students in grades 3 to 7 free. [email protected]
tuesday/15
“The Evolution of Delis.” Saul’s Deli executive chef Peter Levitt discusses the history of the Jewish kosher deli in America, followed by dinner. Talk at JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 6:30 p.m., with dinner at Saul’s, 1475 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. $36 includes dinner; registration required. www.jcceastbay.org
wednesday/16
Rabbis Sharon Brous and Noa Kushner. Rabbis of two independent congregations talk about Judaism outside the denominational box. Brous is founding rabbi of Los Angeles’ Ikar, which reaches across the religious spectrum, and Kushner is founder of The Kitchen, a San Francisco independent congregation. Co-sponsored by The Kitchen. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $17. www.jccsf.org
thursday/17
“Better Than Bubbe’s Hamantaschen.” Purim baking workshop featuring such unexpected fillings as savory caramelized onion and goat cheese or chocolate ganache and salted caramel. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $50-$55. www.jccsf.org