Pride parade
Nina Wouk waves after she finished marching in the parade during LGBTQ Pride in San Francisco in 2024. (Aaron Levy-Wolins/J. Staff)

So much happens in our community every day that it can be hard to sift through all of the events. We’re highlighting a few here, in every corner of the Jewish Bay Area, to get you started. You can find many more in J.’s online calendar. If you have a community event you’d like to share, go to J.’s “submit a calendar event” page.

SAN FRANCISCO

Thursday | May 28
Inside LGBTQ Life in Israel — Members of Israel Queer Youth, an education and community-focused group, speak on the culture and lives of LGBTQ youth in the country today. Light dinner provided. At Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolore St., S.F. Virtual option. 6:30-8 p.m. Free. 

Wednesday | June 3
An Evening with Alex Edelman — Standup comedy followed by discussion about Edelman’s creative process and more in this Pritzker Family Lecture. At JCCSF, 3200 California St. 7-8:30 p.m. $45-$66. 

NORTH BAY

Friday | June 5
Pride Shabbat — Congregation Rodef Sholom’s celebration with family program, potluck dinner and piano bar singalong. Wear colorful attire and bring nondairy side dish to share. At 170 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. Virtual option. 5 p.m. Free. 

Sunday | June 14
“Exploring Your Grandmothering Experience” — Guided conversations about joys and challenges of grandmotherhood. Hosted by Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 1-5 p.m. $45.

EAST BAY

Sunday | May 31
Soom Foods and Berkeley Supper Club — Communal pescatarian multi-course dinner focused on all forms of sesame seeds. At Urban Adamah, 1151 Sixth St., Berkeley. 5-9 p.m. $60-$120, sliding scale. 

Saturday | June 6
Pride Shabbat Morning Service — Congregation Beth El celebrates Pride. At 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley. Virtual option. 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Free. 

PENINSULA/SOUTH BAY

Friday | June 5
Scholar-in-Residence Weekend — Rabbi Seth Kunin of Curtin University in Australia visits Congregation Beth David for services, talks on Crypto-Jews and more. At 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga. Through June 6. Price varies by event and membership. 

Wednesday | June 10
“From Anxiety to Action” — Rabbi Laura Bellows of Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action presents a talk subtitled “Jewish Wisdom & Storytelling for a Climate-Changing World.” At Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. 6:30-8 p.m. Free. 

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Rahel Knight is editorial fellow at J. She and her wife live in the East Bay.