sunday/15
“The Rabbi’s Knight.” Michael Cooper, author of “Foxes in the Vineyard,” discusses his novel about a Knight Templar who apprentices himself to a rabbi in 1290. At Orinda Books, 276 Village Square, Orinda, 11 a.m. Free. www.orindabooks.com
monday/16
Matti Friedman. Former Jerusalem Post reporter discusses his latest book about his maneuvers with the Israel Defense Forces in Lebanon with Philip Gourevitch of the New Yorker. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $27. www.jccsf.org (See story, 25)
thursday/19
One Bay One Book talk. Scientists Rabbi Ilana Goldhaber-Gordon and her husband, David, discuss their love of Primo Levi’s “The Periodic Table.” At Congregation Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de Las Pulgas, Redwood City. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.tinyurl.com/onebay-cbj
friday/20
Hadassah at Book Passage. Book Passage owner Elaine Petrocelli shares her picks with Marin chapter of Hadassah. At Book Passage Marin, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. 1:30 p.m. $18. RSVP requested. [email protected]
sunday/22
“Scattered Among the Nations.” Presentation by Bryan Schwartz on his book documenting Jewish communities in more than 30 countries. At Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Ave., Berkeley. 3 p.m. Free. www.afikomen.com