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friday/18

“The Waiting Room.” Doctor and author Leah Kaminsky discusses her novel about a young Israeli doctor overcoming the shadows of her parents’ Holocaust past. At Pegasus Books, 2349 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. 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

tuesday/29

“Treyf: My Life as an Unorthodox Outlaw.” Elissa Altman discusses her humorous memoir about growing up in a family with differing ideas about Judaism. At Book Passage, Ferry Building, S.F. 6 p.m. Free. www.bookpassage.com

“Moonglow.” PUlitzer Prize-winning Berkeley author Michael Chabon discusses his new novel with local author Peter Orner. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. Sold out, but available for viewing on livestream at jccsf.org/ondemand

photo/wikipedia

‘The Latke and Civilization’: How has the latke changed the world? Who better to answer that question than chef and Jewish cookbook author Joan Nathan? For this year’s Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund Lecture, Nathan will lead the audience on a global and historical tour of Jewish food and talk about how it has shaped cultures.

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29 at Stanford Taube Center for Jewish Studies. Free, but registration required. http://jewishstudies.stanford.edu

thursday/1

An evening of Mizrahi and Sephardic poetry. Young adult members of JIMENA will recite ancient and modern Jewish poetry translated from Arabic, Hebrew, Ladino and French. Co-sponsored by Jewish LearningWorks. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.jewishlearningworks.org

“Let There Be Laughter.” Radio host Michael Krasny discusses his new book on Jewish humor. In conversation with comedy writer Marc Hershon. Q&A and book signing follows. At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 7:30 p.m. $15-$25. www.marinjcc.org

“Klezmer: Music, History and Memory.” Musicologist Walter Zev Feldman discusses his new book, a study of klezmer from the 16th century onward. At the Magnes, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. 5:30 p.m. Free. www.magnes.berkeley.edu

“Stumbling Stone.” Rudi Raab and Julie Freestone discuss their book about a Nazi officer who becomes romantically involved with the daughter of Holocaust survivors. Part of Under One Tent Book and Arts Festival. At the Reutlinger, 4000 Camino Tassajara, Danville. 1:30 p.m. Free. www.underonetent.org