sunday/25
“With Heart in Mind: Judaism as a Transformative Pathway.” The tradition of Mussar, the practice of contemplative exercises to promote enlightenment, discussed by Mussar Institute dean Alan Morinis. At Chochmat HaLev, 2215 Prince St., Berkeley. 7 p.m. $20-$25. www.chochmat.org
“Jewbilee: A Day of Jewish Learning.” Afternoon of Jewish education–related programming, featuring classes, workshops and performances for all ages. Kosher food provided by L’Chaim Sushi. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 1 to 8 p.m. $8-$10. www.svjcc.org
“Love, Death and School in Russian Jewish Life.” Stanford professor Steven Zipperstein discusses Jewish life at turn of the 20th century. At Congregation Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto. 10:15 a.m. Free. www.kolemeth.org
“Earth Under Stress: Changing Climate and Soaring Population.” Discussion of Jewish ethical considerations on climate change and population growth featuring panel of experts from Sonoma State University and the Center for Climate Protection. At Congregation Shomrei Torah, 2600 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. 3 p.m. Free. www.cstsr.org
“Poland: The New Jewish Frontier.” Ellie Shapiro, director of the Jewish Music Festival and a Fulbright scholar who spent a year in Poland, discusses the country’s return to democracy and its Jewish legacy. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 4 p.m. $10. www.jewishmusicfestival.org
monday/26
“Israel Rising in the Desert: What Israel Can Teach Us About Living With Drought.” Presentation by Eran Kaplan, professor at S.F. State. Sponsored by Temple Sinai and Jewish LearningWorks’ “Exploring the World of Judaism” speaker series. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 9:30 a.m. Free. (510) 451-3262 or [email protected]
“The Orwellian Lies Against Israel.” National ZOA president Mort Klein will talk about Israel and the Middle East. Presented by ZOA West. At Lisa Kampner Hebrew Academy, 645 14th Ave., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. RSVP encouraged. www.zoa.org
tuesday/27
Susannah Heschel. The scholar, author and Dartmouth College professor will speak about the life and work of her father, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. At Congregation Beth Israel, 1630 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 7 p.m. Free. www.cbiberkeley.org
thursday/29
Roger Cohen with Leon Wieseltier. The New York Times columnist and the former New Republic literary critic discuss Jewish identity, European anti-Semitism and the current state of journalism. Event includes a book signing for Cohen’s new memoir, “The Girl from Human Street.” At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $25-$35. www.jccsf.org (See story, 10)
“From ‘Mississippi Freedom Summer 1964’ to ‘Hands Up Don’t Shoot, Ferguson, 2014’: Battling the ‘Old Jim Crow’ and the ‘New Jim Crow.’” Opening reception of photography exhibit and panel discussion. Co-sponsored by Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring and Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice. At City College, Ocean Campus, 50 Phelan Ave., S.F. 4:30 p.m. Exhibit through Feb. 27. Free. (415) 248-0085
“Technology and Kabbalah.” Rabbi Asher Crispe discusses the connections among neuroscience, artificial intelligence and the Kabbalah. At Congregation Chevra Thilim, 751 25th Ave., S.F. 7 p.m. $10. www.tinyurl.com/ozeq5lq
friday/30
“Dangerous Dances: Leonid Yakobson and Jewish Identity in Soviet Ballet.” Stanford University professor Janice Ross discusses the Russian Jewish choreographer. At Stanford University, Building 360, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford. 12 p.m. Free. http://jewishstudies.stanford.edu
wednesday/4
Rabbi Andrew Sacks. The Israeli human rights activist and director of Masorti Rabbinical Assembly talks about social justice. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $15. www.jccsf.org
thursday/5
Big day do-over. If you could go back in time and have your bar or bat mitzvah again, how would it be different? ReBar East Bay will host a panel of Bay Area Jewish artists and thinkers who will look back on the choices they made as teenagers and how those decisions inform who they are today. Panelists include poet Thea Hillman, writer-director Jacob Kornbluth, high-tech strategist Sylvia Paull and Yiddish and cantorial singer Anthony Mordechai Tzvi-Russell.
8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 at JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. $8-$10. www.jcceastbay.org
“To Remember or Not to Remember — That Is the Question.” Gail Reimer of the Jewish Women’s Archive discusses recent tour of Europe to honor Regina Jones, the first woman to be ordained as a rabbi in 1935. At Hillel at Stanford, Kehillah Hall, 565 Mayfield Ave., Stanford. 6 p.m. Free. http://jewishstudies.stanford.edu