sunday/13
“Bombed In His Bed.” Two-person play based on San Francisco author Bruce Farrell Rosen’s new book chronicling the story of his uncle, the Jewish gangster Myer Rush, with Rosen in the lead role. At Oakland Main Library, 125 14th St., Oakland. 2:30 p.m. Free. www.tinyurl.com/oaklandlibrary-bombed
monday/14
“The Holocaust and Its Importance in 2016.” Saul Friedländer, Pulitzer Prize winner and luminary in field of Holocaust studies, addresses the title topic and his new book, “When Memory Comes and Where Memory Leads: My Life.” Book signing follows. At Commonwealth Club, 555 Post St., S.F. 6:30 p.m. $7-$40. www.commonwealth.org
“Where the Jews Aren’t.” Russian American author Masha Gessen on her new book (subtitled “The Sad and Absurd Story of Birobidzhan, Russia’s Jewish Autonomous Region”) and Jews in 20th-century Russia. In conversation with J. editor Sue Fishkoff. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $28. www.jccsf.org/arts-ideas (See story, 20)
tuesday/15
“Putting God Second: How to Save Religion From Itself.” Rabbi Donniel Hartman, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute, discusses his latest book. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 8 p.m. $12-$18. www.paloaltojcc.org
wednesday/16
Amos Oz. Prize-winning Israeli author and peace activist introduces the film “A Tale of Love and Darkness,” based on his book. Q&A follows. At OFJCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7:30 p.m. Rush tickets only. www.svjff.org. Also Nov. 17: discussing his new book “Judas” at JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $45-$55. Livestreaming at www.jccsf.org/arts-ideas/amos-oz
thursday/17
“The Waiting Room.” Doctor-author Leah Kaminsky discusses her novel about a young Israeli doctor overcoming the shadows of her parents’ Holocaust past. At Book Passage in the Ferry Building, S.F. 6 p.m. www.bookpassage.com. Also Nov. 18 at Pegasus Books, 2349 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. www.pegasusbookstore.com
monday/21
“Spycraft.” Uri Bar-Joseph, professor at Haifa University, talks about his latest book and international espionage. U.C. President Janet Napolitano interviews him; book signing follows. At Commonwealth Club S.F., 555 Post St., S.F. 6:30 p.m. $5-$22, $30-$45 for premium seat and book. www.commonwealthclub.org