What’s old is new
The Passover haggadah has anchored the seder ritual for more than a millennium. With the publication of “New American Haggadah,” editor Jonathan Safran Foer (“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”) orchestrates a new way of experiencing and understanding the ancient text. The new haggadah features commentary from contemporary thinkers, including Jeffrey Goldberg, Daniel Handler, Rebecca Newberger Goldstein and Nathaniel Deutsch. Nathan Englander (“What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank”) provides a new translation from the original Hebrew; he joins Foer to discuss their book.
7 p.m. Wednesday, March 14 at JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. $10-$25. www.jccsf.org. Also 7 p.m. Thursday, March 15 at Cemex Auditorium, 641 Knight Way, Stanford University. Free. For seat reservations, call (650) 725-2787. http://jewishstudies.stanford.edu
saturday/10
“The Megillah According to the Beatles.” Purimspiel set in Liverpool, followed by dancing, wine and cheese. At Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. 8 p.m. $24. Also March 11 at 2 p.m. $12; free for children under 12. www.bethamisr.org.
Hamantaschen Ball. Costumes, swing dance, food and drinks. At Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga. 7 p.m. $25-$30. www.beth-david.org.
sunday/11
Purim celebration for Russian speakers. Belly dancing, dinner and Purimspiel. At Congregation Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara St., S.F. 5:30 p.m. $10-$18. www.nertamidsf.org.
friday/16
Social action Shabbat. Service and discussion on Bay Area child trafficking. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. Services at 7:30 p.m., discussion at 8:45 p.m. Free. www.oaklandsinai.org. (See story, 4)
Storyteller Peninnah Schram. Dinner, services and storytelling. 6:30 p.m. $10-$18. RSVP by March 12. Also March 17. 8 p.m. Also March 18. 10 a.m. Free. At Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga. www.beth-david.org.