friday/20
“Turmoil in the Middle East.” AIPAC’s regional director Valerie Hoffman discusses how conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa affect U.S.-Israeli relations. At Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 6:15 p.m. Free. www.betham.org.
sunday/22
Biblical botany. Torah Flora’s Jon Greenberg leads discussion. Includes dinner with beer and wine pairings. 21 and older. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 6 p.m. $15-$25. Also Dec. 25 biblical botany tour of S.F. Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park. 10:30 a.m. $10; children younger than 12 free. Limited to 24 people. RSVP at www.torahflora.org. (See story, 3)