sunday/11
Chana Bloch and Susan Cohen. Two local poets read selections from their work. At Bird & Beckett Books, 653 Chenery St., S.F. 2 p.m. Free. www.birdbeckett.com
monday/12
“Chasing Portraits.” Elizabeth Rynecki discusses her book about her efforts to track down the lost paintings made by her great-grandfather Moshe Rynecki, who perished in the Holocaust. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free, but reservation required. ww.jccsf.org/arts-ideas/chasing-portraits
friday/16
“Granada: A Pomegranate in the Hand of God.” Author Steven Nightingale discusses his book about his time among the Muslim and Jewish immigrants of Granada. Followed by book-signing. At Commonwealth Club, 555 Post St., S.F. 12 p.m. $20, members free. www.commonwealthclub.org
sunday/18
“Talmud After Dark.” Author Maggie Anton discusses her new book “Fifty Shades of Talmud” and how researching her “Rashi’s Daughters” series led her to uncover what the first rabbis thought about sex. At Congregation Etz Chayim, 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto. 9:30 a.m. Also Sept. 18 at Kol Emeth in Palo Alto, Sept. 19 at Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, Sept. 20 at Addison-Penzak JCC in Los Gatos and Sept. 21 at Osher Marin JCC in San Rafael. www.maggieanton.com