friday | 9
“Israeli Parents Raising American Children.” Seminar in Hebrew led by psychotherapist Michal Ramon about Israeli parents raising their children in Silicon Valley. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 9:30 a.m. $8-$13. www.paloaltojcc.org.
“Best of the Rabbis.” Series guest Rabbi Ari Cartun of Congregation Etz Chayim in Palo Alto talks about Ecclesiastes. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 12 p.m. Free. www.paloaltojcc.org.
“A Woman of Heart.” Marcy Alancraig will read from her historical novel about Petaluma’s 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.
saturday | 10
Israeli Folk Dance. Café Shalom dance class with shmoozing and nosh. At St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 1399 43rd Ave., S.F. 7:30 p.m. $5-$8. (562) 896-3878.
sunday | 11
“Brainstorming with the Mavens.” Veteran researchers from Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society offer a problem-solving roundtable. At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 12 p.m. Free. www.bjesf.org.
Monotheist perspectives on scientific cosmology. Kabbalah scholar Daniel Matt explores cosmology with a Muslim and a Christian scholar. At Graduate Theological Union Library, 2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley. 1 p.m. $20-$35. www.ctns.org.
“Successful Networking Techniques.” Jewish Employment Network workshop, co-sponsored by Jewish Vocational Service. At Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton. 1 p.m. Free. RSVP at www.jvs.org/calendar.php.
“Following Ezra.” Author Tom Fields-Meyer will discuss his new memoir about raising a child with special needs. At the BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 1:30 p.m. www.followingezra.com.
Holiday cooking. Challah Daze baker Helaine Green of San Jose hosts a demonstration and tasting of Jewish holiday cooking. At the Williams-Sonoma, 1802 Redwood Hwy., Corte Madera. 2 and 5 p.m. Free. Also 1 and 5 p.m. on Dec. 14-15. www.challahdaze.com.
“American Musical Theater: Gershwin.” An introduction to the music of George and Ira Gershwin by a professor who’s an authority on musicals. 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. $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.
“Transgender in the Jewish community.” Reading and conversation with writers and editors of “Balancing on the Mechitza: Transgender in Jewish Community.” At BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.bjesf.org.
“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.
wednesday | 14
“Jews and Islam.” Lecture by Stephen Berk, a scholar in the Holocaust and Jewish studies. At Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd, Foster City. 2 p.m. Free. www.pjcc.org.
“Israeli Consulate Update.” Monthly meeting for young adults to talk with a speaker from the consulate about current events in Israel. Presented by JCF’s Young Adults Division, Birthright Israel Next, Moishe House S.F. and Congregation Emanu-El. At Jewish Community Federation, 121 Steuart St., S.F. 6:30 p.m. Free. RSVP to (415) 561-9931.
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. Kol Hadash event. At Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 4 p.m. Free. www.kolhadash.org.
wednesday | 21
“The Madoff Scandal.” New York Times reporter Diana Henriques discusses the details of Bernie Madoff’s crime. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $10-$25. www.jccsf.org.