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. 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]
monday/14
New York Times columnist Ron Lieber. Personal-finance writer and author of “The Opposite of Spoiled” talks about fiscal responsibility. At Brandeis School of San Francisco, 655 Brotherhood Way. 8:30 a.m. Free. www.sfbrandeis.org
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 (See story, 8)
wednesday/16
Rabbis Noa Kushner and Sharon Brous. Rabbis of independent congregations in San Francisco and Los Angeles talk about Judaism outside the denominational box. 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. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $50-$55. www.jccsf.org
saturday/19
“Defining Neighbors: Religion, Race and the Early Zionist-Arab Encounter.” Talk by Jonathan Gribetz, assistant professor of Near Eastern and Judaic studies at Princeton University. At Warren Room, 295 Boalt Hall, U.C. Berkeley. 5:30 p.m. reception, 6 p.m. lecture. Free, but registration required. www.tinyurl.com/law-berkeley-IJLIS
sunday/20
Sacred wholeness: Take care of mind and body at Jewish Wellness Day, a retreat offering meditation, yoga, dance and nutrition. Rabbi Rex Perlmeter of the Jewish Wellness Center in New Jersey provides a Jewish lens for the goings-on in his keynote speech. Cosponsored by Jewish LearningWorks.12:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 20 at Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. $35-$45. www.pjcc.org