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Bring questions for one-on-one guidance from experts. Free, but registration encouraged.
Screening and discussion of Israeli film about a German baker who insinuates himself into the life of his late lover’s widow. In Hebrew with English subtitles. Free.
Lehrhaus educator Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan and Zohar scholar Daniel Matt discuss why these two religious texts are relevant today.
Documentary filmmaker Tom Weidlinger reads from his new book, subtitled “Modernism, Madness, and the American Dream.” Accompanied by short film.
Professor Kevin Ostoyich of Valparaiso U. talks about a German family’s unique Holocaust-era journey to Shanghai, based on his interviews with Rudy Nothenberg, former S.F. public official.
Lecture on how current geopolitics color the understanding of Jewish history in the Islamic world, with scholar Emily Gottreich of UC Berkeley.
Opening reception of Christopher Orev Reiger’s exhibition of 112 illustrations inspired by the weekly Torah portion. Exhibit through Nov. 14.
Jim Van Buskirk will lead a discussion of Dani Shapiro's most recent memoir, “Inheritance,” about DNA genealogy and the intersections of family secrets, memory, history and identity.
Professor Robert Braun of UC Berkeley discusses his new book, which examines which religious groups protected Jews during the Holocaust, and why.
Brainstorming family history roundtable with experienced Jewish genealogists from the Jewish Community Library and S.F. Bay Area Jewish Genealogy Society.
Rabbi Lee Bycel discusses his new book about refugees, the hardships they survived and how they adjusted to life in the U.S.
Facilitated discussion of Amos Oz novel “Judas,” set in 1959 Jerusalem.
Israeli-born author discusses her new novel “Pain,” about a woman who experiences life complications after a terrorist attack.
Overview of long history of Jews on lands that are now Ukraine, through changing empires and political regimes. With Alti Rodal, co-director of Ukrainian Jewish Encounter.
A forgotten and never-staged novella-musical written by Sholem Aleichem is discussed by Cantor Sharon Bernstein and U. of Chicago Illinois professor Karen Underfill.
S.F. Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Survey offers guidance on researching one’s family history and resources at one’s disposal.
Author-social worker Rachel Biale discusses how traditional Jewish texts and Talmud commentators address rape and sexual assault.
Danielle Levin reads from a book about a young Jewish woman in France during Nazi era. Translators Renée Morel and Zack Rogow speak live, with author Isabelle Stibbe in teleconference from France.
Ron Hendel of UC Berkeley Jewish studies talks about dating the Bible and understanding aspects of its historical and contemporary significance.
Professor-author Ilan Stavans talks about an upcoming anthology he co-edited, exploring the rich interplay of Yiddish and American culture (including Latin American culture).
Musicians Joshua Horowitz and Stuart Brotman talk about and perform on the tsimbl, a large box with metal strings that formed the rhythmic backbone of klezmer ensembles as long as 400 years ago.
Comic entertainer’s child-focused act includes “silly Jewish storytelling,” magic, juggling and more.
Howard Simon of Hamaqom|The Place (formerly Lehrhaus Judaica) talks about how Bob Dylan has been private about his Jewish background.
A talk by educator Tamar Zaken about how many immigrants to Israel had their names changed upon arrival.
Three local writers and a psychologist-mediator discuss DNA testing and the meaning of family.
Goldie Goldbloom talks about her novel (this year’s “One Bay One Book” selection) about a Hasidic woman who gets pregnant at 57 and keeps it secret from her husband, a Torah scribe.
Co-editor Kenneth Wishnia and four contributors discuss the collection of 23 stories that explore both the dark and light sides of Jewish religion and culture. Presented by Jewish Community Library and Mystery Writers of America NorCal. Registration required.
S.F.-raised Alina Adams talks about her new book, about an 18-year-old girl who flees Stalin’s Russia out of fear and ends up in the Jewish state of Birobidzhan on the Russia-China border. Registration required.
Afikomen Judaica, Shefa and Jewish Community Library present Sam Shonkoff, assistant professor of Jewish studies at GTU in Berkeley, will also address “Psychedelics through the Prism of Hasidism.” Masks required. Registration required.