friday | 18
Rabbi Elisheva Salamo. Native S.F. biologist-turned-rabbi talks as part of “Best of the Rabbis” series. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 12 p.m. Free. www.paloaltojcc.org.
“Om Shalom Yoga.” Vinyasa flow yoga, with Jewish prayers, meditations, and recorded music by Jewish and Israeli artists. At Yoga Tree Studio, 24 Shotwell St., S.F. 7:45 p.m. $25-$30. www.yogatreesf.com/workshops.
sunday | 20
“Who Was a Jew 3,000 Years Ago?” Jill Katz, archaeology/anthropology lecturer at Yeshiva University. 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.
“God vs. Gay.” Conversation with writer Jay Michaelson. At Congregation Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon. 10 a.m. Free. Also, 9 a.m. Nov. 22 at American Academy of Religion annual meeting, on “Possibilities for a Contemporary Queer Theology.” At Moscone Center, S.F. www.jaymichaelson.net.
“Creation of a Religion.” 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.
“Jewish Mysticism and the Spiritual Life.” Lecture and book signing with Rabbi Or Rose. At Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 10:30 a.m. Free. www.netivotshalom.org.
Genealogy clinic: help with your family tree. With researchers from S.F. Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society. At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 12 p.m. Free. (415) 567-3327 ext. 704.
“Midrash, Biblical Women, Poetry and Music.” Panel lecture by musician-songwriter Alicia Jo Rabins, Alan Cooper (provost at the Jewish Theological Seminary) and Carol Bakhos (professor of Near Eastern languages and cultures at UCLA). At 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].
monday | 21
“Out of Left Field: Jews and Black Baseball.” Rebecca T. Alpert, professor at Temple University, on Jewish involvement in Negro leagues. At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7:30 p.m. (415) 567-3327.
“Do Jews Believe in Original Sin?” Lecture by Alan Cooper, provost of the Jewish Theological Seminary. At Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St, S.F. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.emanuelsf.org.
tuesday | 22
“How Jews and Christians Read Scripture Differently.” Book talk with Amy-Jill Levine, author of “The Meaning of the Bible: What the Jewish Scriptures and Christian Old Testament Can Teach Us.” At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. $5-$10 suggested. www.jcceastbay.org.
Tutor training. Jewish Coalition for Literacy. At Jewish Community Federation building, 121 Steuart St., S.F. 5:45-9 p.m. Free. RSVP at www.jclread.org.
Israel’s LGBT community. Anat Avissar and Mike Hamel of the Aguda, Israel’s first LGBT organization, will discuss Israel’s diverse and multicultural LGBTQ community. At LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.sfcenter.org.
saturday | 26
“Wisdom and Witdom.” Writer Doug Brook discusses Moshe Chafetz, a 17th-century rabbinical scholar with wide-ranging interests. At Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga. 1:30 p.m. Free. www.beth-david.org.