monday/9
Challenging Conversations About Israel. Professor Eran Kaplan of SFSU, with Karen Schiller of JCRC, begin three-part series with topic “Settlements and Occupation.” Also May 16. Topic: “Internal Issues in Israel.” At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 7 p.m. Free. www.marinjcc.org
“Bridging Word and World.” Launch party and signing for Rabbi Sheldon Lewis’ new book on applying Jewish wisdom to modern issues. At Congregation Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto. 7:15 p.m. Free. (650) 948-7498
thursday/12
“Illuminated Italian Ketubot.” Presentation on ornate Jewish marriage documents by Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.jewishcommunitylibrary.org
friday/13
A return to the Exodus. Torah scholar Avivah Zornberg isn’t done with Passover yet. The author and teacher will look at the Bible stories through a philosophical, psychological and literary lens. Topics for her Bay Area lectures will include the formation of Jewish law at Sinai, the life of Moses and the issues faced by exiled Egyptian Jews in the desert.
“On Law and Violence,” 9 a.m. Friday, May 13 at Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley (free); “Let Me See That Good Land,” 10 a.m. Sunday, May 15 at Congregation Etz Chayim in Palo Alto ($10-$20); “Is Redemption Possible?” 7 p.m. Sunday, May 15 at Chochmat HaLev in Berkeley ($15-$20). www.avivahzornberg.com
sunday/15
“Jewish Radical Women.” Jewish studies professor Deborah Hertz on Manya Shochat, “mother of the kibbutz movement.” Kol Hadash Bagel Brunch. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 11 a.m. $10 donation for brunch. www.kolhadash.org
thursday/19
David Greene. Host of NPR’s “Morning Edition” and author of “Midnight in Siberia” in Addison-Penzak JCC’s Distinguished Speaker Series. At APJCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 7 p.m. $7, members free. www.apjcc.org