friday | 2
“Moroccan Jewish Cuisine.” Cooking workshop. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. $50-$55. 10:30 a.m. www.jccsf.org.
sunday | 4
“Following Ezra” book talk. Author Tom Fields-Meyer will discuss his new memoir about raising a child with special needs. At Temple Beth Abraham, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 6 p.m. Also Dec. 5 at Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 7:30 p.m. $5-$7. Also Dec. 11 at the BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 1:30 p.m. www.followingezra.com.
“Early History of California’s Jewish Communities.” Frances Dinkelspiel, author of “Towers of Gold,” will speak as part of the “Exploring the World of Judaism” series. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. 9:30 a.m. Free. www.shirhadash.org.
“Born This Way.” Panel discussion of ethnically diverse experiences of Jewish identity. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 9:30 a.m. Free. www.becomingjewish.net.
Marty Brounstein. Author of “Two Among the Righteous Few” will talk about the inspiration for his book. At Peninsula Sinai Congregation, 499 Boothbay Ave., Foster City. 10:30 a.m. Free. (650) 349-2816.
“A New Song.” Author Tricia Hellman Gibbs will discuss selections from the Torah and Koran and read from her book “A New Song.” BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 1:30 p.m. Free. www.bjesf.org
Baron Wolman. S.F. native and the former photographer for Rolling Stone magazine will present his new book, “The Rolling Stone Years.” At Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. 7 p.m. Also Dec. 5 at Osha Thai Lounge , 4 Embarcadero, S.F. 5 p.m. Free. www.therollingstoneyears.com.
“Children of Abraham.” Discussion of Islamic and Jewish perspectives on circumcision with Rabbi Katie Mizrahi of Or Shalom and Ustadh Abdullah bin Hamid Ali of Zaytuna College in Berkeley. At Or Shalom Jewish Community, 1250 Quintara Ave., S.F. $10-$20 suggested. 6:30 p.m. (415) 242-9992.
“Has Obama Been Good for Israel?” Panel discussion will include Mike Harris, activist with StandWithUs and SF Voice for Israel; Jon Segall, blogger and founder of Team Shalom at Daily Kos; and blogger and scholar Mike Lumish. At Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. (510) 549-9447.
tuesday | 6
“Digital Overload.” Panel discussion about ethics in a digital culture, featuring reporter Matt Richtel, Wired magazine writer Steven Levy, Rabbi Joshua Strulowitz and moderator Jonathan Rosen, author of “The Talmud and the Internet.” At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $10-$25. www.jccsf.org.
“Laughter Therapy.” Workshop with comedian Esther Rachel Russell, part of the “J-Women” series. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7:30 p.m. $12-$18. (650) 223-8700.
wednesday | 7
“Lunch and Learn.” Rabbi Andrea Berlin of the Union for Reform Judaism will discuss traif, Torah and Reform Jewish history. At Temple Isaiah, 3800 Mount Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. 12 p.m. $10-$12. www.temple-isaiah.org.
“Successful Parenting Choices in Interfaith Families.” Panel discussion. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 7:30 p.m. Free. RSVP to (510) 451-3263 ext. 302.
“Obama, Netanyahu and Israel.” North Peninsula scholar-in-residence Stephen Berk will address current relations between the U.S. and Israel. Includes a wine reception. At Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 8:30 p.m. $10. www.pjcc.org.
thursday | 8
“The Espionage and Uprisings that Changed the Middle East.” Lecture by Riva Gambert, part of the East Bay Jewish Forum. At Temple Beth Abraham, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 9:45 a.m. $10. www.jfed.org/forum2011.
“How Silicon Valley Gives Back.” Panel discussion on philanthropy and social innovation, presented by Business Leadership Council of S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation. At law offices of Cooley LLP, 3175 Hanover St., Palo Alto. 6 p.m. $20-$59. RSVP to (415) 369-2875.
“I Touched the Kotel Stones.” Virtual tour of Jerusalem and its history by Israeli guides and educators. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7 p.m. $10 suggested. www.paloaltojcc.org.
“My Flirtations with the Divine.” Eric Weiner, author of “Geography of Bliss,” discusses his worldwide quest to experience divinity. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $10-$20. www.jccsf.org.
friday | 9
“A Woman of Heart.” Writer Marcy Alancraig will read from her historical novel about Petaluma’s community of Jewish chicken ranchers. At Petaluma Historical Museum, 20 Fourth Street, Petaluma. 7 p.m. Free. www.petalumamuseum.com.
“Solomon: The Lure of Wisdom.” Author and Stanford professor Steven Weitzman discusses his book. At Congregation Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City. 7:30 p.m. Free. (650) 366-8481.
sunday | 11
“Successful Networking Techniques.” Jewish Employment Network workshop, co-sponsored by Congregation Beth Emek and Jewish Vocational Service. At Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton. 1 p.m. Free. RSVP to www.jvs.org/calendar.php.
“American Musical Theater: Gershwin.” An introduction to the music of George and Ira Gershwin by Joe Marchi, director of the Center for the American Musical at Cañada College in Redwood City. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 3 p.m. Free. www.paloaltojcc.org.
monday | 12
“Portrait of a Woman: Seven Dimensions of the Feminine Mystique.” Chabad-Lubavitch’s Rohr Jewish Learning Institute presents new seven-week course. Chabad Jewish Center of Oakland and Piedmont. At 4231 Park Blvd., Oakland. Morning and evening sessions offered. $75, includes books. www.jewishoakland.org.
tuesday | 13
“The Relationship Between Israel and Turkey.” Lecture by Fulbright scholar Steven West. At Contra Costa JCC, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. 10 a.m. $7-$10. (925) 938-7800 ext. 239.
“Communicating in Relationships.” Talmudist and family therapist Rabbi Avi Stewart discusses effective communication. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7:30 p.m. $10-$18. www.paloaltojcc.org.
thursday | 15
“Muslim Orientations Toward Israel: Can There Be Change?” Lecture by Noel Kaplowitz, part of the East Bay Jewish Forum. At Temple Beth Abraham, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 9:45 a.m. $10. www.jfed.org/forum2011.
sunday | 18
“Jewish Adventure with Socialism.” Video presentation about Jewish socialist thinkers by University of Pennsylvania Jewish history professor David Ruderman. Discussion led by Kol Hadash members. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 4 p.m. Free. www.kolhadash.org.