sunday/20
“Chassidism: The World of Jewish Fundamentalism.” Presentation by educator and Yiddish translator Ken Blady on the movement’s history, accompanied by a documentary film. At Cultural Integration Fellowship, 2650 Fulton St., S.F. 11 a.m. Free. www.culturalintegrationfellowship.org.
“What Makes Music Sound Jewish?” Mezzo soprano Deborah Rosengaus leads a discussion about the origins of klezmer, Sephardic traditions and other cultural influences on Jewish music. At Congregation Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto. 10:30 a.m. Free. www.kolemeth.org.
“How a Chinese Game Shaped Modern America.” Stanford scholar Annelise Heinz traces mah jongg’s popularity in the American Jewish community. At Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St. S.F. 1 p.m. Included with museum admission. www.thecjm.org.
monday/21
“What’s New in Jewish News?” J. editor Sue Fishkoff discusses the importance of Jewish news media and the evolving role played by J. in Northern California. At Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 2 p.m. $4 for nonmembers. Preregistration encouraged. www.pjcc.org.
thursday/24
“Essential Jewish Knowledge: Hallmark Jewish Practices.” Rabbi David Kasher leads discussion on what constitutes “essential” Jewish knowledge and practices. At Urban Adamah, 1050 Parker St. Berkeley. 7 p.m. $10-$15. www.urbanadamah.org/events.
friday/25
A life in clay. Out of the CJM exhibit “Designing Home: Jews and Midcentury Modernism,” a gallery talk by the field director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation will shine a light on one particular artist: the renowned Jewish-French ceramic artist Marguerite Wildenhain. Anthony Veerkamp will discuss Wildenhain’s history, her work and the legacy of Pond Farm, the Guerneville artists’ colony in which she taught and lived. 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 25 at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F. $10-$12, free for 18 and younger. www.thecjm.org
sunday/27
“Creating a Havdallah Garden.” Parents and children can learn about traditional Jewish culinary and medicinal herbs and create and plant their own self-watering container garden to take home. At Urban Adamah, 1050 Parker St. Berkeley. 2 p.m. $8; family discounts available. www.urbanadamah.org.
“Interfaith Jewish Relationships.“ Rabbi Mychal Copeland, director of InterfaithFamily Bay Area, leads a discussion about interfaith relationships from past to present. Dinner provided. At 309 Fernando Ave., Palo Alto. 6 p.m. Free. www.tinyurl.com/interfaith-family-copeland.
through Sep. 4
The art of prayer. Naomi Teplow has been creating colorful, detailed ketubahs and illuminated manuscripts for 30 years, shortly after immigrating to the U.S. from her native Israel. Some of the Oakland artist’s work is on display in Piedmont, including prayers, paintings and experimental works. Through Sept. 4 at Kehilla Community Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. Free. www.kehillasynagogue.org