friday/6
Reform Judaism in Ukraine. Rabbi Alex Dukhovny, head of the Reform (Progressive) movement in Ukraine, speaks about the movement’s growth. At Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 6:15 p.m. Shabbat service; 7:30 p.m. $25 dinner; $10 for children. www.betham.org. Also Dec. 7 at Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. Shabbat service 10:30 a.m. Potluck lunch 12:30 p.m. Free. Please bring dish that feeds five to eight people. www.shirhadash.org.
“Homeland.” Alex Gansa, creator of the Showtime series about terrorism based on an Israeli TV series, speaks about the complexities of fighting terrorism in a post–9/11 world. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $25-$35. www.jccsf.org.
sunday/8
Anat Hoffman. Leader of Women of the Wall and the Israel Religious Action Center speaks about global human rights. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 2:30 p.m. Free. www.oaklandsinai.org.
Rabbi Arik Ascherman. The co-founder of Rabbis for Human Rights and former spiritual leader of Temple Beth Hillel in Richmond speaks about the links among historical Jewish teaching , human rights and modern Israel. At Congregation B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. 7:30 p.m. $5. Also Dec. 9 at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.bethelberkeley.org.
Year of Civil Discourse. JCRC event to mark local Jewish community’s advancements in talking about Israel. Includes discussion and Aaron Davidman’s one-man, multi-character play “Wrestling Jerusalem.” At Congregation Beth Israel Judea, 625 Brotherhood Way, S.F. 2 to 5 p.m. Free. RSVP to [email protected].
thursday/12
“Ilan Benjamin: From Soldier to Filmmaker.” The former Israeli soldier, film school student and Bay Area native discusses his time in the military and his work as a filmmaker. At Congregation B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. 7:30 p.m. $7; children free. www.bshalom.org.
sunday/15
“Jews and the Environment: What Would Moses Say?” Bay Area director of Hazon Deborah Newbrun discusses Jewish efforts to promote environmental sustainability. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 11:30 a.m. Free. www.oaklandsinai.org.