sunday | 26
“Emerging Voices in Jewish Writing.” Authors Joel ben Izzy, Peter Orner and Elizabeth Rosner in a panel discussion moderated by Michael Krasny of KQED’s “Forum.” Sponsor: National Foundation for Jewish Culture. At W Hotel, 181 Third St., S.F. 10 a.m. $25 includes breakfast. Reservations: (323) 935-5120.
“Encountering Judaism.” Samuel Broude, rabbi emeritus, Temple Sinai. First of 10 Sunday sessions. At Temple Isaiah, 3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. 10 a.m. $75-$95. (925) 283-8575.
Coed book club. Sponsor: Women’s Alliance of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation. Discussion of “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel. At private home. 11:30 a.m. Reservations: (650) 493-9142.
Puppets and stories with Mimi Greisman. Sponsor: Women’s Alliance of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation. At Peninsula Temple Beth El, Fireside Room, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. 4 p.m. $10 a family. Reservations: (650) 349-1523.
“Jewish Perspectives on Jesus.” Rabbi Henry Shreibman. At BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7 p.m. $5. (510) 848-0237, ext. 112.
monday | 27
“Discover Your Life’s Purpose.” At Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7 p.m. $8-$10. (510) 848-0237, ext. 112.
“Literature Under Fire.” Sami Michael, author of “A Trumpet in the Wadi.” At Stanford University, Building 200, Room 2. 7 p.m. (415) 844-7503. Also Monday at U.C. Berkeley. Time: (415) 844-7503; Tuesday at Congregation Sherith Israel, 2266 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. (415) 346-1720; Oct. 31 at Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 8 p.m. (650) 493-4661.
“Your Child’s Growing Independence: The Diaper-Free Zone.” At Parents Place Marin, 600 Fifth Ave., San Rafael. 7 p.m. $25. Reservations: (415) 491-7959.
“Finding Love and Relationship in the Middle Years: A Personal Discussion and Support Group.” First of four Monday sessions. At Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. $55-$60. (510) 848-0237, ext. 112.
tuesday | 28
“Major Threats Facing America: North Korea, Militant Islam, Global Terrorism.” Michael Nacht, dean, Goldman School of Public Policy, U.C. Berkeley. At Contra Costa Jewish Community Center, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. 10 a.m. $3-$5. (925) 938-7800.
Playtime. For single moms and their children. At Parents Place Marin, 600 Fifth Ave., San Rafael. 10:30 a.m. $6. (415) 491-7959.
“The Occupation and the Wall: Transforming Militarism and Building a New Israel.” Dorothy Naor of New Profile.
Sponsors: American Friends Service Committee, A Jewish Voice for Peace and Unitarian Universalists for Peace. At Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin St., S.F. 7 p.m. Also Nov. 2 at Berkeley Friends Church, Sacramento and Cedar streets. 4 p.m. $10-$20. (415) 565-0201, ext. 26.
Jewish community forum. See the first model of the Silicon Valley’s Campus for Jewish Life and provide input. Sponsor: S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation. At Cubberley Community Center auditorium, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. 7:30 p.m. Reservations: (650) 919-2101.
wednesday | 29
“Choosing a Preschool.” At Parents Place San Francisco, 1710 Scott St. 5 p.m. $20. RSVP: (415) 359-2454.
“Families Like Us.” For LGBT families. At Parents Place Marin, 600 Fifth Ave., San Rafael. 7 p.m. $20. RSVP: (415) 491-7959.
“From Hamburgers to Falafels: A Humorous Look at Cultural Differences Between American and Israeli Jews.” Doron Nesher, Israeli filmmaker, and Dean Kertesz, rabbinical student. Presentation followed by discussion. At Tehiya Day School, 2603 Tassajara Ave., El Cerrito. 7 p.m. Reservations by Tuesday: (510) 981-1115.
“Conversations in Jewish Learning: Gauchos, Tango, Maté and the Jews of Argentina.” Arlene Miller, director, Silicon Valley Hillel. At Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga. 7:30 p.m. $5. (408) 366-9117.
thursday | 30
“Current Events: Are They Different Today From the Current Events of Biblical Times?” Rabbi Allen Bennett, Temple Israel of Alameda. Multi-Interest Day Adventures in Jewish Learning series. At Temple Beth Sholom, 642 Dolores Ave., San Leandro. 10:15 a.m. $5. (510) 839-2900, ext. 233.
“Medieval Europe and Arabia.” Focusing on the origins of anti-Semitism. At Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 1808 Wedemeyer St. 7 p.m. $10-$12. (415) 292-1237.
“Art on a Human Scale: The Voice of a Jewish Poet.” Robert Pinsky, poet laureate of the United States, 1997-2000. At Congregation Emanu-El, Martin Meyer Sanctuary, 2 Lake St., S.F. 7:30 p.m. Free. (415) 751-2535.
sunday | 2
“Israel Right or Wrong: Is the Tent Big Enough for Me?” Yossi Beilin, former minister of justice under Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Sponsor: Jewish Community Relations Council. At Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 1 p.m. (415) 472-5128.
“Coffee With the Clergy.” For interfaith couples. Sponsor: Building Jewish Bridges. At Congregation Rodef Sholom, 170 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 7:30 p.m. Free. (415) 479-3441.