sunday/18
Gershon Baskin. Founder and co-chairman of Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information will discuss prospects for a two-state solution. At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 11:30 a.m. Free. www.netivotshalom.org
“Called Out, But Safe.” Dinner followed by keynote talk by former major league umpire Al Clark. Extra charge for pre-dinner meeting with Clark. At Congregation B’nai Tikvah, 25 Hillcroft Way, Walnut Creek. 5 p.m. $18-$54. Prices vary. www.tikvah.org
“The Jewish Refugees of Syria.” Rabbi Eli Mansour of Brooklyn talks about his experiences with Syrian Jewish refugees and their stories. At Magain David Sephardim Congregation, 351 Fourth Ave., S.F. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.facebook.com/magaindavidsephardim
“Zionism 3.0: In Search of the Shared Dream.” Daylong conference on relationships between Israel and American Jewry. Speakers include Dennis Ross, Daniel Kurtzer, Lucy Aharish and others. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. $45-$120. www.paloaltojcc.org/zionism
“Grow Your Family Tree.” Tech expert talks about using the internet for Jewish genealogical research. Sponsored by S.F. Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society. At Rhoda Goldman Plaza, 2180 Post St., S.F. 1 p.m. Free. www.sfbajgs.org
Introduction to Humanistic Judaism. Bagel Brunch talk about origins of Humanistic Judaism and local history of Kol Hadash. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 11 a.m. Free. www.kolhadash.org
monday/19
Israel’s Security and the 45th President. David Halperin (Israel Policy Forum), Ilan Goldenberg (Middle East director for Center for a New American Security) and Amnon Reshef (Commanders for Israel’s Security) discuss impending U.S. election’s impact on Israel’s security and two-state solution. At Levy Family Campus, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 7 p.m. Free, but registration requested. www.jvalley.org
tuesday/20
“Israel and the American Jewish Community: Working Together to Fulfill the Dream.” Lecture by author and Shalom Hartman institute fellow Yossi Klein Halevi. Co-sponsored by AIPAC. At Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St., S.F. 6:30 p.m. Free, but registration required. www.tinyurl.com/aipacsf-dream
JCRC East Bay Town Hall. Panel on race and voting rights with experts on the topic, including Abdi Soltani, executive director of ACLU of NorCal. At Temple Isaiah, 945 Risa Road, Lafayette. 7 p.m. Free. www.jcrc.org/what-we-do/racial-justice
thursday/22
“Adults from Interfaith Families.” Roundtable discussion for those who grew up in an interfaith family. Led by Dawn Kepler. Sponsored by Lehrhaus Judaica and Building Jewish Bridges. At Lehrhaus Judaica, 2736 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.lehrhaus.org
sunday/25
“The Benefits and Complexities of the U.S.-Israel Relationship.” With Yoram Ettinger, Knesset consultant and former consul general in Houston. Sponsored by ZOA West Coast and Chabad of Sonoma. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 5:30 p.m. Also Sept. 27 at Flamingo Resort and Spa, 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 7 p.m. Free, but RSVP requested. www.westcoast.zoa.org
monday/26
Middle East discussion group. Member-led, informal roundtable discussion about current events. At Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F. 5:30 p.m. Free, but registration required. www.commonwealthclub.org
tuesday/27
JCRC North Bay Town Hall. Panel on race and educational inequalities with Ryan Smith of Education Trust and Kevin Kumashiro, dean of USF School of Education. At Congregation Rodef Sholom, 170 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 7 p.m. Free. www.jcrc.org/what-we-do/racial-justice
“First Responders to Worldwide Disasters.” Dr. Nik Wolfson of San Francisco discusses his experiences working with IDF medical team in aftermath of Nepal earthquake. Co-sponsored by Friends of the IDF. Part of Under One Tent. At Congregation B’nai Tikvah, 25 Hillcroft Way, Walnut Creek. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.underonetent.org