People listen to a high school student speak at an Israel solidarity rally at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco on Oct. 29, 2023. (Photo/Asher Goldblatt) Jewish Life Community UPDATED: Israel solidarity events, learning opportunities and more Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By J. Staff | November 1, 2023 Sign up for Weekday J and get the latest on what's happening in the Jewish Bay Area. Updated Nov. 9 at 5:44 p.m. We’re keeping up with events around the Bay Area that offer opportunities to take action, gather in community and learn from leading experts about Israel’s war against Hamas. Did we miss any? Let us know at [email protected]. Ongoing Host a Family — Defend Israeli Democracy and Unxeptable are helping Israelis who are stuck abroad and can’t fly home find places to stay. Anyone with a spare guest room or couch is invited to fill out the form to be matched with someone who needs a place to stay. Thursday, November 9 Israel and Hamas at War: Does Democracy Matter? — Political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin discusses the current status of Israel at war, coming on the heels of a year of democratic crisis, with investigative reporter (and J. board member) Peter Waldman. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7- 8:30 p.m. Free. Friday, November 10 Jewish Community Shabbat Dinner — Presented by A Wider Bridge, American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, Honeymoon Israel, JFCS, Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, Jewish Community Relations Council Bay Area, Nice Jewish Boys SF, OneTable, Value Culture, Benji Friend, Aaron Tartakovsky and Manny Yekutiel and co-sponsored by J. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 6 p.m. $10, tickets required. Empty Shabbat Tables Across the Bay Area — Art installation raising awareness for the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas. Volunteers needed. Presented by JCRC Bay Area, CCJCC, Israeli American Council, Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, OneTable, ORT America and Russian Speaking Jewish Community of San Francisco. At locations in Berkeley, Foster City, Napa, San Francisco, Sausalito and Walnut Creek. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Sunday, November 12 Crisis and Opportunity in Israel Now — Reconstructing Judaism’s Israel affairs specialist Rabbi Maurice Harris discusses the current state of affairs in Israel, the Palestinian Territories and the wider region in the context of recent events and the ongoing war. Followed by Q&A. Presented by Congregation Ner Shalom. Online. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free. Run for Their Lives — National effort to run or walk once a week for 18 (chai) minutes wearing a shirt to raise awareness for the hostages. Contact Michal Shoham via email [email protected] to join Jewish Silicon Valley’s group or go to run4lives.org to find a group near you. Tuesday, November 14 March For Israel — San Francisco-based Jewish Federation is organizing a delegation to go to the March for Israel in Washington, D.C. Participants must book their own travel and hotel accommodations. Presented by Jewish Federations of North America. At The National Mall, Washington, D.C. 1 p.m. Saturday, November 18 San Mateo County-Wide Solidarity Havdalah Vigil—Solidarity event featuring multi-faith and civic leaders showing support against antisemitism. Presented by Peninsula JCC. At St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 600 Columbia Dr., San Mateo. 7 p.m. Free, RSVP required. Sunday, November 19 Embracing Nahal Oz — Part of an “Adoption project” of different communities in Israel where participants write letters and get to know the fallen, kidnapped and displaced and their families. Presented by Jewish Silicon Valley. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Suite 201, Los Gatos. 6-9:30 p.m. $25, proceeds go to Nahal Oz. 6 p.m. in English, 8 p.m. in Hebrew. J. Staff Also On J. Education Parents condemn Oakland teachers' union statement on Gaza Philanthropy Federation’s giving circles allow smaller donors a bigger say Opinion After Oct. 7, some Jews are rethinking everything Film The story of two boys taken hostage is now an animated film Subscribe to our Newsletter I would like to receive the following newsletters: Weekday J From Our Sponsors (helps fund our journalism) Your Sunday J Holiday Bytes