friday/13
Rabbi Donniel Hartman. Israel’s Shalom Hartman Institute president is North Peninsula visiting scholar-in-residence. Topics include Israel, Jewish identity and the diaspora. At Peninsula Sinai Congregation in Foster City (also Feb. 14); Feb. 15-16 at Congregation Beth Jacob in Redwood City; Feb. 17-18 at Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo; and Feb. 18 at Peninsula Temple Sholom in Burlingame. For times and topics, visit www.pjcc.org/scholar.
sunday/15
“The Decline and Expulsion of Spanish Jewry.” Half-hour video lecture about 15th-century Jewish community, destroyed in 1492 by the Catholic Church. Followed by discussion and refreshments. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 4 p.m. Free. wwwkolhadash.org
“The Jewish 1968 and Its Legacies.” Two-day conference on the social and political impact of American Jewish activists. At Center for Educational Research, Stanford University. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Also Feb. 16, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. www.jewish1968conference.tumblr.com (See story, 12)
tuesday/17
“The Private Sphere as Public Policy? Symposium on Law and Society in Israel.” At Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies, co-sponsored by Center for Study of Law and Society. At Boalt Hall 297 (Goldberg room), U.C. Berkeley. Reception 2:30 p.m., symposium 3 p.m. Free. ww.law.berkeley.edu/JLILES.htm
“The Daymare: Shoah Childhood Memory and Remembrance.” Lecture by Sonoma State University professor Elaine Leeder. At Sonoma State, 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. 4 p.m. Free. www.sonoma.edu
“Israel, the Jews and Me.” Actress Roseanne Barr in conversation with East Bay JCRC chair Lenny Kristal, followed by Q&A. Preceded by kosher hors d’oeuvres and wine reception. At Magnes, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. 6:30 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. event. $18. To order tickets online: http://tinyurl.com/RoseanneBarr-2-17-15 (See story, 20)
“Rainbow Generation: IGY in the Bay Area.” Leaders of the Israeli LGBT organization will discuss their work on behalf of LGBT teens and young adults. At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 7 p.m. Free. RSVP requested. Also Feb. 18 at a private S.F. home; address provided with RSVP. 7 p.m. Free. www.awiderbridge.org
thursday/19
New world disorder. Pulitzer Prize–winning Wall Street Journal columnist and author Bret Stephens will discuss “America, Israel and the New Global Disorder.” The foreign affairs columnist will look at the U.S.- Israel relationship and comment on recent news related to the Jewish state.
7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 at Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. $15-$20. www.paloaltojcc.org
“About JIMENA.” Presentation about organization supporting Jewish refugees from Arab lands. Sponsored by Sequoia chapter of Hadassah. At Congregation Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto. 7:30 p.m. $20. [email protected]
saturday/21
“Israeli Politics and the Upcoming Election.” With Eyal Naor, Israel deputy consul general. Sponsored by Israel engagement committee of Congregation B’nai Shalom. At B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. 12:15 p.m. Kiddush lunch, 1 p.m. talk. $10-$15. RSVP by Feb. 25. (925) 934-9446 ext. 100
sunday/22
The girls’ theoryof everything. She’s an actress and an Orthodox Jew with a Ph.D. in neuroscience. Mayim Bialik, best known for her TV role on “The Big Bang Theory,” will give a talk encouraging students — especially girls — to embrace and pursue the sciences. Part of Peninsula JCC series on Jewish contributions to science.
3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22 at Hillbarn Theatre, 1285 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City. Adults $10-$13. www.pjcc.org
Hebrew Name Clinic. Learn about Hebrew naming conventions and choose a name, or change an existing one. At Congregation Etz Chayim, 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto. 10 a.m. Free. www.etzchayim.org
tuesday/24
“Israel’s Silicon Wadi Delivers for Silicon Valley.” Panel discussion with Business Leadership Council of S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation. At Orrick, 405 Howard St., S.F. 6 p.m. $18-$50. (415) 369-2875 or [email protected]
wednesday/25
“Talking About Israel: Between Jews.” Tal Becker of the Shalom Hartman Institute and Rabbi Jill Jacobs, executive director of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, offer their perspectives. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $15. www.jccsf.org
“The Way Forward for the Middle East.” George Deek, a Christian Arab and Israel’s deputy ambassador to Norway, will give a talk. At Congregation B’nai Tikvah, 25 Hillcroft Way, Walnut Creek. 7:30 p.m. Free. RSVP to [email protected]
thursday/26
“Can Israel Be Both a Jewish State and a Democracy?” Talk by Rabbi Uri Regev, president and CEO of Hiddush and former president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. At Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.bethelberkeley.org