benefits & events

photo/flickr user grongar

Pickles and Picon at the Museum

Who knew sourness could be so lively? Brine and fermentation promise to attract an upbeat crowd as the Contemporary Jewish Museum hosts a pickling workshop with Wilderness Torah on Sept. 20. The night’s jam-packed schedule also includes an opportunity to preserve your thoughts on the High Holy Days in a digital archive organized by Reboot, and a gallery talk on the exhibition “California Dreaming.” After you’re done pickling and reflecting, stick around for a screening of the silent 1923 Molly Picon film “East West” with a live electronica, funk and groove score improvised by Charlie Hunter, Scott Amendola and Justin Peake.

5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20 at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F. $5 includes museum entry. Admission to “East West” is another $5. http://www.thecjm.org.

sunday/16

Wilderness Torah Family Festival. Songs, stories, nature adventures and crafts. Bring a picnic lunch. At Redwood Regional Park, 7867 Redwood Road, Oakland. 10 a.m. $50 per family. http://www.wildernesstorah.org.

saturday/22

Israeli folk dance party. Café Shalom presents monthly dancing and munchies. At St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 1399 43rd Ave., S.F. 7:30 p.m. $5-$8. http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/cafeshalom.

sunday/23

Knitzvah. Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley hosts volunteer knitting and crocheting garments to donate to the needy. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 10:30 a.m. http://www.jfssv.org.

Kickoff and training session. For teens interested in volunteering with  Friendship Circle, which supports special-needs kids and their families. At Temple Beth Abraham, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 6 p.m. http://www.fcberkeley.org or (510) 396-4285.