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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

“Genealogy Clinic: Brainstorming with the Mavens.” Bring questions for 1-on-1 guidance from experts. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 12 to 2 p.m. Free, but registration encouraged. www.jewishlearningworks.org

“A Gastronomic Tour of Judaism.” Talk on traditional Jewish foods by Jewish Study Network’s Rabbi Joey Felsen. In memory of Neil Gandler, a Bay Area resident. At OFJCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 4 p.m. Free. www.jsn.info

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

Soviet soldiers on Eastern Front photo/wikipedia

For fallen Jewish soldiers. “Lost Kaddish” will commemorate all Jews who died fighting during World War II, but particularly the Jewish soldiers who fought for the Soviet Union and died unrecognized and unmourned. Includes a panel discussion and a Speak Memory Project of photos and personal stories. Sponsored by the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation.

7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, May 3 at Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Free, but RSVP. www.tinyurl.com/lost-kaddish

“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

“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

“An Evening with Sholem Aleichem.” Film clips, theatrical readings and discussion on the 100th anniversary of the writer’s death. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. $10. www.jcceastbay.org

monday/9

“Settlements and Occupation.” Discussion led by professor Eran Kaplan of SFSU, with Karen Schiller of JCRC. Part of the Challenging Conversations About Israel series. At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 7 p.m. Free. www.marinjcc.org

“Bridging Word and World.” Launch party and signing for Rabbi Sheldon Lewis’ new book on applying Jewish wisdom to modern issues. At Congregation Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto. 7:15 p.m. Free. (650) 948-7498

thursday/12

“Illuminated Italian Ketubot.” Presentation on ornate Jewish marriage documents by Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.jewishcommunitylibrary.org