monday/25
Middle East discussion group. Member-led, informal roundtable discussion about current events. At Commonwealth Club, 555 Post St., S.F. 5:30 p.m. Free, but registration required. www.commonwealthclub.org
sunday/1
“Cooking Whether You Are Jewish or Not: Shabbat.” Learn how to make kugel, challah and other traditional foods. Co-sponsored by Lehrhaus Judaica and Building Jewish Bridges. At Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 12 to 4 p.m. $35. http://catalog.lehrhaus.org
monday/2
David S. Lobel Visiting Scholar Lecture. Marc Epstein, author of “Skies of Parchment, Seas of Ink,” talks about handmade Jewish books and manuscripts over the centuries. At Koret Pavilion, Kehillah Hall, 564 O’Connor Lane, Stanford. 7:30 p.m. Free. http://jewishstudies.stanford.edu
tuesday/3
“Lost Kaddish.” Panel discussion and exhibition commemorates Soviet Jewish soldiers of World War II. Sponsored by S.F.-based federation’s Russian-Speaking Jews group. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7 p.m. Free, but RSVP. (415) 369-2883
“The New Middle East.” Panel discussion with two members of Henry Jackson Society, a British-based political think tank. At Commonwealth Club, 555 Post St., S.F. Noon. $20, members and students free. www.commonwealthclub.org
thursday/5
Sholem Aleichem at the century mark. The popular Jewish writer requested in his will that the anniversary of his death be celebrated with readings of his works. Marking the author’s 100th yahrzeit this year, Citizen Film and the JCC East Bay will present those readings, along with film clips about his life and work and a short film about modern Yiddish literature.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5 at JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. $10. www.jcceastbay.org
“Jews by Choice, Jews by Chance.” Rabbi Susan Leider (Congregation Kol Shofar), Sue Fishkoff (J. editor) and Peg Sandel (Brandeis Marin head of school) discuss personal impact of choosing to be Jewish. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St. S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.jewishcommunitylibrary.org