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
“Sacred Spaces.” San Francisco architects Susie Coliver and Robert Herman discuss their firm’s work in designing sacred spaces for synagogues and other nonprofit institutions. At Congregation Beth Sholom, 301-14th Ave., S.F. 9 a.m. $15. www.bethsholomsf.org
“A Dialogue About West Bank Settlements.” Discussion forum with Mike Harris of StandWithUs and Stanley Wulf of J Street. Sponsored by the Israel Civil Voice Alliance. At Albert Einstein Residence Center, 1935 Wright St., Sacramento. 1 p.m. $5 suggested donation; RSVP requested. [email protected]
Showing pride: How to celebrate the strides made in LGBT rights at home and abroad? With a Sunday brunch and mimosas, of course. “A Wider Brunch” will include a live talk-show presentation honoring activists and leaders in San Francisco and Israel, including local honorees Roberta Kaplan, an LGBT rights attorney, and Rabbi Sydney Mintz of Congregation Emanu-El, along with Chen Arieli and Imri Kalmann of the Aguda, Israel’s LGBT task force.
11:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 at JCCSF, 3200 California St. $150. www.awiderbridge.org/brunch2016
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 Israel Defense Forces 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
thursday/29
“And Then I Killed Him.” University of Toronto professor Anna Shternshis discusses the experiences of Soviet Jewish veterans of World War II who later encountered perpetrators of the Holocaust. At GTU Center for Jewish Studies, 2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley. 12:45 p.m. Free. www.gtu.edu
wednesday/5
“Is Remembrance the Secret to Redemption?” Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan discusses the story of the assassination of Gedalia, the Jewish governor of ancient Judah, and the lessons behind it. Co-sponsored by Lehrhaus Judaica. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7 p.m. $8-$12. www.jcceastbay.org
thursday/6
“Starting with Ourselves: Anti-Racism ‘Open Space.’ ” Group discussion about the Jewish response to racism. Sponsored by Bend the Arc. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7 p.m. Free, but RSVP requested. [email protected]