saturday/19

Rabbi Burt Jacobson (left) and Zoketsu Norman Fischer

Come for enlightenment, stay for cake: What are the similarities and differences between the two enlightened teachers who gave the world Buddhism and Hasidic Judaism? Find out at a program called “The Buddha and the Ba’al Shem Tov.” Zen Buddhist priest Zoketsu Norman Fischer will discuss the topic with Rabbi Burt Jacobson, Kehilla synagogue’s founding rabbi, after which there will be desserts and drinks to celebrate Jacobson’s 80th birthday.

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at Kehilla Community Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. $18-$36. www.kehillasynagogue.org

monday/28

Middle East discussion group. A 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

wednesday/30

“Yiddish Theater in the City of Light.” Nick Underwood, Jewish studies teacher at Sonoma State, shines a light on early 20th-century Yiddish theater in Paris. At the Magnes, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. 12 p.m. Free. www.magnes.berkeley.edu

“Stepping Outside the ‘Liberal Box.’ ” Eilon Schwartz, founder of Israeli think tank Shaharit, and Nissim Mizrachi, Tel Aviv U. professor, on creating a new political space in Israel. Sponsored by Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies. At Warren Room, Boalt Hall, Berkeley. 5:30 p.m. reception, 6 p.m. lecture. Free, but registration required. www.tinyurl.com/liberal-box-2016

thursday/1

“Double Roots: A Film and Discussion.” Documentary on children of interfaith marriages, followed by group discussion led by Dawn Kepler. Co-sponsored by Lehrhaus Judaica and Building Jewish Bridges. At Kehilla Community Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. 7 p.m. Free. www.tinyurl.com/roots-discussion