friday/2
“The Gefilte Manifesto.” Owners of New York City’s Gefilteria and cookbook co-authors Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz present a talk, frying demonstration and tasting. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 3 p.m. Also Dec. 3 at Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, S.F. 10:30 a.m. Also Dec. 4 pop-up dinner in Palo Alto. 5 p.m. www.gefilteria.com/calendar-of-events
sunday/4
“Inequality and the Politics of Inequality in Israel.” Lecture by Hebrew University professor emeritus Michael Shalev. At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 10 a.m. Free. www.netivotshalom.org
“Walking the Path of the Jewish Mystic.” Seminar on improving quality of life through kabbalistic teachings led by Jewish meditation teacher Rabbi Yoel Glick. At Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 4 p.m. $13. www.pjcc.org
“Italian Illustrated Ketubot.” Lecture by Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan, sponsored by the Jewish Historical Society of Napa Valley. At Congregation Beth Shalom, 1455 Elm St., Napa. 4 p.m. $5 public. www.jhsnv.org/illuminated-italian-ketubot
“Current Anti-Semitism in Europe.” Panel discussion focusing on the rise of anti-Semitism in Germany, France and Sweden, three countries most heavily impacted by the refugee crisis. At Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St., S.F. 10:30 a.m. Free. www.emanuelsf.org
“Humanistic Judaism and the Enlightenment, Part II.” Kol Hadash lecture series with guest speaker Michael Prival of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism. Part III on Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 4 p.m. Free.www.kolhadash.org
“How Time Matters to Jews.” Study session led by Rabbi Daniel Landes, former director of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 4 p.m. www.netivotshalom.org
monday/5
“Jewish Superstition/Symbolism Through Arts.” Joshua Horowitz, co-founder of the Old Country musical group Veretski Pass, traces the history, meaning and embodiment of Jewish superstitions. At Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd. Foster City. 2 p.m. $4. www.pjcc.org
“A Dangerous Neighborhood: Regional Threats, the Palestinians and Israel’s Security.” Post-election talk by retired Israeli Shin Bet director Carmi Gillon. Co-sponsored by J Street. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. 7 p.m. www.shirhadash.org
Shylock and the Wandering Jew’: The age-old legend of the “Wandering Jew” will be the next topic in a visiting scholars’ lecture series sponsored by the Taube Center for Jewish Studies at Stanford. Galit Hasan-Rokem, a Jewish studies folklore professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, will trace the character’s evolution across time and borders, examine variances between different versions and dissect what led Shakespeare to create Shylock in “The Merchant of Venice.”
7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5 in Building 200, Room 307, Stanford University. Free. www.tinyurl.com/shylock-stanford
tuesday/6
“Sephardi Piyyutim, Spirituality, and Movement.” Seminar by Rivka Amado on the structure and themes of classic Sephardic liturgical poetry, followed by group singing and movement exercises. Co-sponsored by Lehrhaus Judaica. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7 p.m. $20-$30. (510) 845-6420
wednesday/7
“Jewish Values and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.” Discussion on the conflict across generational lines with Shalom Hartman Institute’s Elana Stein Hain. Facilitated by New Israel Fund. At Jewish Community High School of the Bay, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. $18, free to members of sponsoring organizations. www.shalomhartman.org/SFcollaborative
“Protecting our Families, Communities and First-Responders from Terrorism.” Safety seminar led by Israeli security expert Marc Provisor. Sponsored by ZOA. At Chabad of Fresno, 1227 E. Shepherd Ave., Fresno. 6:45 p.m. Free. www.westcoast.zoa.org/events
thursday/8
“December Dialogue.” Parent group discussion on how to handle December holidays as an interfaith family, led by Rabbi Mychal Copeland. At Parents Place Marin County, 600 Fifth Ave., San Rafael. 6:30 p.m. $15-$20. www.tinyurl.com/dialogue-dec
friday/9
“How the Next U.S. President Should Handle the Middle East.” With retired Sen. George Mitchell of Maine, a former special envoy for Middle East peace, and Alon Sachar, a former adviser to Mitchell and to the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro. At Commonwealth Club, 555 Post St., S.F. 12 p.m. $5-$7, members free. www.commonwealthclub.org
“Listening After the Election.” Gathering to share impressions and feelings on the recent election, led by Rabbi Bridget Wynne. Shabbat and dinner follow. North Berkeley location given upon RSVP. 6:30 p.m. Free. [email protected]
sunday/11
“Sikhism and Judaism: Separated at Birth?” Ken Blady, historian, and Amrik Singh Pannu, an India native and Sikh teacher, compare and contrast two ancient faiths. Co-sponsored by Lehrhaus Judaica. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 9:30 a.m. Free. www.tinyurl.com/sikh-judaism
tuesday/13
“Demographic Shifts in the Jewish World: Forecasts and Implications.” Talk by Hebrew U. professor emeritus Sergio DellaPergola, one of world’s leading authorities on Jewish demographics. Part of Under One Tent book/arts fest. At Congregation B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. 7:30 p.m. $10. www.underonetent.org/2016
wednesday/14
“Melting Pots Compared: Italian Jewry and Contemporary Israel.” Italian-born Hebrew U. professor emeritus Sergio DellaPergola examines similarities and differences. Reception follows. At the Magnes, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. 5 p.m. Free. www.magnes.berkeley.edu
thursday/15
“Very Veggie Latkes.” Cooking Round the World class on non-potato-based latke recipes. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $55-$60. www.jccsf.org
Mega Challah Bake. Jewish women and girls 12-and-up come together to make challah. With chef Sara Briman of Mexico, winner of an international challah contest. Part of Under One Tent book/arts fest. At Chabad of Contra Costa, 1671 Newell Ave., Walnut Creek. 7 p.m. $18. www.underonetent.org/2106