monday/28
Middle East discussion group. A member-led, informal roundtable discussion about current events in the Middle East. At Commonwealth Club, 555 Post St., S.F. 5:30 p.m. Free, but registration required. www.commonwealthclub.org
Ambassador Ron Dermer. Israel’s ambassador to the United States talks about “The Challenges Facing Israel Today.” At Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St., S.F. 6:30 p.m. Free, but RSVP required. www.emanuelsf.org. Also March 29 at Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7 p.m. $5-$10. www.paloaltojcc.org
tuesday/29
A Jewish view of Venice. The new exhibit “Il Ghetto: The Venice Ghetto at 500” explores one of European Jewry’s most important cultural centers from 1516 to the present day. An opening reception will include a presentation about the history of the ghetto by professor Murray Baumgarten, director of the Jewish studies program at U.C. Santa Cruz, followed by a dessert reception. Exhibit runs through July.
7 p.m. Tuesday, March 29 at Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. www.jewishcommunitylibrary.org
Israel Dealmakers Summit. Two-day business conference showcasing Israeli innovation, with talks by Noam Bardin of Google and Amit Lang of Israel’s Ministry of Economy. At Sofitel San Francisco Bay, 223 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City. www.israeldealmakers.com
wednesday/30
“Perceptions and Misperceptions in a Globalized Polarized World.” Author and U.C. Berkeley International House executive director emeritus Joe Lurie shares stories of cross-cultural interaction from years of travel. Co-presented by Commonwealth Club. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7 p.m. $5-$15. www.commonwealthclub.org
thursday/31
Rabbi Abraham Cooper. Simon Wiesenthal Center’s associate dean talks about “The New Battlefront for Israel and the Jewish Community: Digital Hate and Terrorism on Social Media and the Internet.” At Congregation Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto. 8 p.m. Free. www.kolemeth.org/march-31-rabbi-cooper
sunday/3
Can we talk? Learn to distinguish between myths and facts, identify misinformation and engage in meaningful conversation at “How to Talk About Israel,” an all-day symposium with workshops that approach the topic from different angles. Speakers include Rabbi Menachem Creditor of Congregation Netivot Shalom and Eran Kaplan, Israel studies chair at San Francisco State University. Israeli-style lunch included.
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 3 at Temple Isaiah, 945 Risa Road, Lafayette. $10-$45. (925) 935-9355
Edwin Black lectures. Series of talks by the author and investigative journalist, sponsored by ZOA. Today, “BDS: From Label to Libel” at Covenant Winery, Berkeley. 4 p.m. $18. April 5: “Financing the Flames” at Rossmoor, Walnut Creek. 7 p.m. Free, but RSVP required. April 6: “Confronting Israel’s Place in International Law” at Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto. 7 p.m. $10. www.zoawestcoast.com
“From the Heart of Jerusalem: Politics, Human Rights and the Hip-Hop of Israel.” Multimedia conversation with Shaanan Streett of Israeli hip-hop funk band Hadag Nahash. Co-presented by New Generations and Reboot. At Chez Poulez, 3359 Cesar Chavez St., S.F. 7 p.m. $25-$36. www.nif.org/streett
“Jewish Adventure with Socialism.” Half-hour video lecture by David B. Ruderman of University of Pennsylvania on the Jewish attraction to Marxian socialism, followed by Q&A. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 3 p.m. Free. www.kolhadash.org
monday/4
“Religion After Religion.” Rabbi Aubrey Glazer discusses the use of sacrificial religious imagery in the Leonard Cohen songbook. At Congregation Beth Sholom, 301 14th Ave., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.bethsholomsf.org
Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett. The chief curator of Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw shares behind-the-scenes stories. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $27-$37. www.jccsf.org
“Israel: Jews and Muslims in America in Dialogue.” Discussion between Yehuda Kurtzer, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, and journalist and playwright Wajahat Ali. At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 7 p.m. Free. www.marinjcc.org
wednesday/6
“Behind Enemy Lines.” An evening with Marthe Cohen, who worked as a spy for the Allies in Nazi Germany. Book signing follows. Sponsored by Chabad of North Peninsula. In Hillsborough; location given with RSVP. 7 p.m. $15. [email protected]
Imam Abdullah Antepli. The senior fellow on Jewish-Muslim relations at the Shalom Hartman Institute participates in the panel discussion “Children of Abraham.” At Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos. 7 p.m. Free. www.betham.org
thursday/7
“A Look in the Mirror: Reflections on the Social and Economic Issues Facing Israel Today.” Avi Weiss, executive director of Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel, talks about the educational system, labor market, cost of living issues and more. In Warren Room, 295 Boalt Hall, U.C. Berkeley. 5:30 p.m. Free, but registration required. www.tinyurl.com/law-berkeley-IJLIS