sunday/25
“Dementia Awareness: A Path for Families.” Information and support for individuals dealing with dementia and their loved ones. Sponsored by JFCS. At Congregation B’nai Emunah, 3595 Taraval St., S.F. 3 p.m. Free, but RSVP requested. (415) 664-7373 or [email protected]
“The Rise of European Jewry.” Half-hour video lecture on Judaism in the medieval and early modern era , followed by Q&A. Part of Kol Hadash’s “Between Cross and Crescent” series. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 4 p.m. Free. www.kolhadash.org
“Fermenting Deli Pickles and Sauerkraut.” Turn cucumbers into pickles, make sauerkraut and take a jar of each to ferment at home. Advance registration required. At Urban Adamah, 1050 Parker St., Berkeley. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $25. www.urbanadamah.org
“Michael Solomonov’s Modern Israeli Cuisine.” San Francisco Chronicle food critic Michael Bauer talks with the Israeli American chef about his life and career. Includes wine and hummus tasting. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 5 p.m. $27. www.jccsf.org
“What Makes a Home Jewish?” Discussion for couples about how to reach a balance, respecting the priorities of each partner. Sponsored by Lehrhaus Judaica. At Peninsula Temple Sholom, 1655 Sebastian Drive, Burlingame. 9 a.m. $8, free for members. (510) 845-6420
“Jews by Choice: A Panel Discussion.” J. editor Sue Fishkoff, Rabbi Susan Leider of Congregation Kol Shofar and Peg Sandel, head of school at Brandeis Marin, will talk about their journeys to Judaism and the impact on their Jewish leadership roles. SFSU Jewish studies professor Marc Dollinger moderates. At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 7 p.m. Free. www.netivotshalom.org
monday/26
An Evening with Ari Shavit. Lecture by the Israeli columnist and award-winning author of “My Promised Land.” Co-sponsored by Berkeley Institute of Jewish Law and Israel Studies. At Berkeley Hillel, 2736 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 6 p.m. Free, but RSVP requested. www.berkeleyhillel.org
“Israel: The Royal Tour.” CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg discusses his one-on-one tour of Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7:30 p.m. $10-$12. www.paloaltojcc.org
“Moses and Jesus Against the Pharisees: Or, Why Mark Isn’t (Always) Paul.” Lecture by U.C. Berkeley talmudic culture professor Daniel Boyarin. At Levinthal Hall, Humanities Center, Stanford University. 5:15 p.m. Free. http://religiousstudies.stanford.edu
tuesday/27
“Breast Cancer Risk in Jewish Women.” Dr. Tiffany Svahn, oncologist-hematologist, discusses the prevalence of certain gene mutations in Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish women and steps to manage health. At Temple Isaiah, 945 Risa Road, Lafayette, 12 p.m. lunch, 12:30 p.m. presentation. Free, but RSVP to [email protected]
wednesday/28
“Being an Effective Health Care Advocate: For Yourself and Others.” Presented by registered nurses with Jewish Family and Children’s Services’ Seniors At Home. At Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. 5:30 p.m. Free. RSVP to Roger Hunt at (707) 571-8131 or [email protected]
“Israel Facing a Changing Middle East.” Lecture by Itamar Rabinovich, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and president of the Israel Institute. Sponsored by Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies. At Bancroft Hotel, 2680 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 5:15 p.m. reception, 6 p.m. lecture. Free, but RSVP required. (510) 643-9552 or [email protected]
thursday/29
Remembering Rabin. The 20th anniversary of Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination will be observed in events around the Bay Area. Former Newsweek Jerusalem bureau chief Dan Ephron will join Nancy Updike of “This American Life” in San Francisco for a multimedia presentation on the former Israeli prime minister’s life and legacy. Eran Baruch and Noga Brenner Samia from the Israeli social-justice organization Bina will participate in events in Tiburon, San Francisco and Palo Alto to talk about changes in Israel since Rabin’s death. The OFJCC’s all-day program will include a panel discussion, memorial ceremony and interactive exhibition, and Lehrhaus collaborates with the East Bay federation on symposia in Berkeley and Palo Alto.
“The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 at JCCSF, 3200 California St. $27-$37. www.jccsf.org
Q&A with Bina, 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 at Congregation Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon. Free. www.kolshofar.org
“Judaism and Democracy,” 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 at Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St., S.F. Free. www.bina.org.il/en/events/rabin-judaismsf
“Remembering Rabin,” 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 at OFJCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Free. (650) 223-8692 or [email protected]
“Yitzhak Rabin: Life, Death and Legacy,” 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Magnes, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. Also 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 9 at Kehillah Jewish High School, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Free, but preregistration encouraged. www.lehrhaus.org
sunday/1
“The New Offshore Oil and Gas Industry in Israel.” Tamara Lotner Lev discusses the industry’s social and environmental aspects. At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 10 a.m. Free. www.tinyurl.com/netivot-lotner-lev
“Israel at 67: Is This the Child We Prayed For?” Lecture by Jerusalem Post journalist Herb Keinon. At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.tinyurl.com/netivot-facebook-keinon
“The Sephardim of Amsterdam.” Final video lecture in the series “Between Cross and Crescent: Jewish Civilization from Mohammed to Spinoza” by David B. Ruderman, followed by dicussion. Part of Kol Hadash bagel brunch. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 11 a.m. Brunch donation $10. (510) 982-1455 or www.kolhadash.org
wednesday/4
Changing the conversation. Can North American Jews and Muslims come together for a civil conversation, or even find common ground? Rabbi Donniel Hartman and Imam Abdullah Antepli, both of Israel’s Shalom Hartman Institute, discuss the opportunities and the obstacles in the program “Must the Children of Abraham Be Enemies?”
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Legion of Honor, 100 34th Ave., S.F. Free, but registration required. Also Nov. 5 at Congregation Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de Las Pulgas, Redwood City. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.tinyurl.com/hartman-jews-muslims
thursday/5
“A Prayer for the Jewish State: Religion or Politics?” First of a two-part program led by Rabbi Steven Chester examining the history and evolution of prayers for Israel. Also Nov. 12. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.oaklandsinai.org