friday | 11
Historical fiction morning. Jewish Book and Arts Festival. ”Pictures at an Exhibition” with author Sara Houghteling at 10 a.m., followed by “The Oracle of Stamboul” with author Michael David Lukas at 11:30 a.m. At Contra Costa JCC, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. $10. www.jfed.org/bookfestival.
sunday | 13
Jewish family history open house. Workshop by Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society. Author Ron Arons will present “Putting the Flesh on the Bones: Researching Why Our Ancestors Did What They Did.” At Oakland Regional Family History Center, 4766 Lincoln Ave, Oakland. 1 p.m. Free. (503) 381-2654.
“Thanks for the Memories.” Presentation about Jewish lyricists and composers of the 20th century by writer and historian Bonnie Weiss. At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 1:30 p.m. Free. (415) 567-3327.
“The Abrahamic Family Feud.” Rabbi Reuven Firestone, co-director of the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement at Hebrew Union College, will explore the story of Ishmael in the first of a four-part series, “An Introduction of Islam for Jews.” At Congregation B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. 4 p.m. $18. (925) 934-9446.
“Remembering Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.” In Hebrew. Lecture by Stanford history professor Arie Dubnov. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 8 p.m. Free. (650) 223-8692.
Kesher support group. For parents of children with special needs. Wine, dessert, conversation. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 7 p.m. Free. (510) 318-6426.
“Jewball.” Author Neal Pollack discusses his book about American Jews and basketball. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $10-$12. www.jccsf.org.
monday | 14
Klezmer master class with clarinetist David Krakauer. Lecture and hands-on workshop focused on klezmer musical technique. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7 p.m. $20-$50. www.jewishmusicfestival.org.
OneVoice. Presentation about community building by a pair of activists, an Israeli and a Palestinian. At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. [email protected].
tuesday | 15
“History of the Map of Israel.” With author Rachel Havrelock. At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.bjesf.org.
“Yes We Do!” A panel of five rabbis discussing why they support women’s rights in at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, moderated by Rachel Biale, author of “Women and Jewish Law.” At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.bamasorti.blogspot.com.
“OneVoice.” OneVoice Youth leaders share their personal stories and speak about issues of current concern. At St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. $5 suggested. (510) 849-1492.
wednesday | 16
Day of Philanthropy. Jewish Federation of San Francisco presents workshops, a luncheon, and a wine tasting. At InterContinental Hotel, 888 Howard St., S.F. 7:30 a.m. Prices vary. www.jewishfed.org.
Alan Kaufman. The author of “Jew Boy” will discuss his latest book, “Drunken Angel.” At Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F. 6 p.m. $7-$20. www.commonwealthclub.org.
“The Unmaking of Israel” with Israeli journalist Gershom Gorenberg. At Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. Also speaking about “How to Fix the Crisis of Israeli Democracy” at Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave., Berkeley. 3 p.m. Free. Also Nov. 17 at Congregation Sherith Israel, 2266 California Street, S.F. www.nif.org.
“Poetics of Aging Conference.” Four-day event on aging includes many Jewish speakers, artists, poets, actors and panelists.
Co-sponsors include JCCSF and JFCS of the East Bay. At First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin St., S.F. www.poeticsofaging.org.
“Keep Your Wives Away from Them.” With writer Miryam Kabakov. At Congregation Beth Israel, 1630 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 7 p.m. Free. (510) 843-5246. Also Nov. 17 at BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.bjesf.org. Also Nov. 19 at Temple Beth El , 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos. 7:30 p.m. Free. (831) 479-3444.
“Israel: The Challenge of Power.” Talk by Rabbi Donniel Hartman, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute, with opening presentation by Rachel Havrelock on “The History of the Map of Israel.” At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 7 p.m. $18-$20. www.marinjcc.org.
“Emotional Eating.” Women’s International Zionist Organization presents a lecture in Hebrew by psychologist Anat Barkai. At private residence in Los Altos. 8:30 p.m. $10 nonmembers. [email protected].
thursday | 17
“Famine in East Africa.” American Jewish World Service hosts a presentation with speakers Laura Talmus, AJWS Western regional director, members of the Somali refugee community and Rabbi Jonathan Prosnit of Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 6:30 p.m. Free. (650) 847-1715.
“Origins of the Jewish Festivals: Historic, Agricultural or Religious?” Lecture and breakfast. At Congregation Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara St., S.F. 9:30 a.m. Free. www.nertamidsf.org.
“God vs. Gay.” With author Jay Michaelson. At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave. Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. Four other local appearances. www.jaymichaelson.com/events.
sunday | 20
“Who Was a Jew 3,000 Years Ago?” Jill Katz, lecturer in archaeology and anthropology at Yeshiva University, will speak as part of “Explore the World of Judaism” series. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. 9:30 a.m. Free. www.shirhadash.org.
“Creation of a Religion.” Lecture by Rabbi Philip Ohriner on the history of Jewish practice after the destruction of the Second Temple. At Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga. 10:30 a.m. Suggested donation. (408) 257-3333.
“Midrash, Biblical Women, Poetry, and Music.” Panel lecture by performer Alicia Jo Rabins; Alan Cooper, provost at the Jewish Theological Seminary; and Carol Bakhos, professor of Near Eastern languages and cultures at UCLA. At the Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F. 1 p.m. Included with admission. www.thecjm.org.
“Hadassah, Israel and You with Barbara Goldstein.” Lecture by deputy executive director of Hadassah’s office in Israel. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 2:30 p.m. [email protected].