friday | 9
“Justice, Justice You Shall Pursue.” Ruth Messinger, president of American Jewish World Service, discusses the Jewish role in famine relief, food justice and Global Hunger Shabbat. At Congregation Rodef Sholom, 170 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 6:15 p.m. Free. Also 9:30 a.m. Sept. 10 at Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley, and 9 a.m. Sept. 11 at Congregation Beth Sholom, 301-14th Ave., S.F. (415) 593-3280.
“Can We Talk?” Rachel Eryn Kalish, founding facilitator of JCRC’s Project Reconnections, on elevating the level of discourse about Israel. At Congregation Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City, 7:30 p.m. Free. (650) 366-8481.
saturday | 10
“The Jewish Refugees of Libya.” Gina Waldman, president and co-founder of JIMENA, will share her story of escape from Libya and talk about Jewish refugees. At Congregation Adath Israel, 1851 Noriega St., S.F. 11 a.m. Free. (415) 564-5665.
“End of Days.” Petaluma Historical Museum will host a panel of local religious leaders, including Rabbi Ted Feldman of Congregation B’nai Israel, discussing the ways in which sacred texts envision the end of time. At Petaluma Historical Museum, 20 Fourth St., Petaluma. 4 p.m. $5. (707) 778-4398.
sunday | 11
“A Taste of Hebrew.” Learn beginning Hebrew. Includes an Israeli-style lunch. At the Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 9 a.m. $40-$50. (650) 223-8602.
“Strength, Diplomacy and the Iranian Threat.” Annual Richard Franklin lecture in the Jewish legal tradition, with guest speaker Abraham D. Sofaer. Followed by brunch. At Congregation Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto. 10:30 a.m. Free. (650) 948-7498.
“Cooking Jewish: Rosh Hashanah.” Cook and share recipes. Sponsored by Building Jewish Bridges. At Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos. 11 a.m. $25. (510) 814-6420 ext. 11.
Home composting workshop. Urban Adamah presents “Backyard Composting & Worm Composting.” Program fees support Eco-Jews of the Bay, Transition Berkeley and Urban Adamah. At Urban Adamah, 1050 Parker St., Berkeley. 2 p.m. $5-$25. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. [email protected].
Chabad gala banquet. Chabad Jewish Center of Sonoma County. Featuring author Rabbi Simon Jacobson, live music and kosher wine. At B.R. Cohn Winery, 15000 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma. 5 p.m. $125. RSVP to www.jewishsonoma.com.
monday | 12
“Creating a Vision: Social Justice and Sustainability in Israel.” Jeremy Benstein, associate director of the Heschel Center for Environmental Learning and Leadership in Tel Aviv and author of “The Way into Judaism and the Environment,” will speak about urban sustainability and Jewish values. At JCRC, 121 Steuart St., S.F. 4 p.m. Free. RSVP to [email protected].
“Learn about B’naiture.” Mentors talk about Wilderness Torah’s b’nai mitzvah nature mentorship program. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7 p.m. Free. www.wildernesstorah.org.
“Speaking Up for Israel: Advocacy Training.” BlueStar. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7 p.m. $180-$195. (650) 223-8692.
Israeli dance class. Six-week class taught by Karina Niederman of Tov to Dance. All levels welcome. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 7:30 p.m. $30-$42. (408) 357-7411.
tuesday | 13
“Lunch and Learn with Jeremy Benstein.” Associate director of the Heschel Center for Environmental Learning and Leadership in Tel Aviv and author of “The Way into Judaism and the Environment” will speak about urban sustainability and Jewish values. Includes organic, kosher lunch. At 332 Pine St., Suite 600, S.F. 12 p.m. Free. RSVP to [email protected].
“Jewish High-Tech Community Presents: TeleHealth.” Moldaw Family Residences, Oshman Family JCC and Dorsey & Whitney LLP will host medical professionals discussing “telehealth” and the future of affordable health care. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 6:30 p.m. $15-$25. (650) 433-3614.
“Eternal Truths Meet Inconvenient Ones: Judaism and the Environmental Crisis.” Jeremy Benstein, associate director of the Heschel Center for Environmental Learning and Leadership in Tel Aviv, will speak about the environment and Jewish values. At Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 7 p.m. Free. RSVP to [email protected].
“Taste of Judaism.” An interactive introduction class, appropriate for interfaith couples, non-Jewish friends and relatives, and Jews who have been disconnected from the Jewish community. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. 7 p.m. Free. RSVP to [email protected].
wednesday | 14
Beginning Hebrew. At Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga. 11:45 a.m. $35 for members, $55 for public. Register at (408) 257-3333.
“Finding Faith and Spirituality in the 21st Century.” A panel of religious leaders, including Rabbi Stephen Pearce of Congregation Emanu-El, will discuss the role faith and the sacred play in modern society. At Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F. 6 p.m. $7-$20. (415) 597-6700.
Arava-Hazon Israel Ride information night. Alumni talk about the weeklong cycling tour of Israel. At Congregation Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon. 7 p.m. Free. Also Sept. 15 at JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.hazon.org.
thursday | 15
“What the Torah Reveals About Political Science.” East Bay Jewish Forum lecture by emeritus Professor Sheldon Rothblatt of U.C. Berkeley. At Temple Beth Abraham, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 10 a.m. $10. (510) 318-6456.
“How We Age: A Doctor’s Journey into the Heart of Growing Old.” Dr. Marc Agronin, psychiatrist at the Miami Jewish Health Systems, speaks about life lessons he’s learned working at the nursing home. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 7:30 p.m. $5-$7. (408) 357-7411.
sunday | 18
“The Jews of Kurdistan.” With Ken Blady, author of “Jewish Communities in Exotic Places.” Includes a light brunch. At Congregation B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. 10 a.m. Free. [email protected].
Jewish Coalition for Literacy volunteer training. Learn to teach reading skills to children in grades K-3. At Jewish Community Federation of the East Bay, 300 Grand Ave., Oakland. 10 a.m. Free. RSVP to (415) 977-7414 ext. 100.
“Pre, Peri and Post: Laugh and Learn about Women’s Sexual Health.” Jewish women’s brunch with Center of Jewish Peoplehood director Joanne Greene and ob-gyn Dr. Sondra Altman. At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 11 a.m. Free for members, $18 for public. (415) 444-8000.
San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society lecture and meeting. With archivist Marisa Louie. Includes light kosher refreshments. At Congregation Beth Israel Judea, 625 Brotherhood Way, S.F. 1 p.m. Free. www.sfbajgs.org.