Friday, Jan. 25
Tu B’Shevat evening: “What Does the Torah Tell Us?,” 6 p.m., Temple Beth Shalom, 489 Lowell St., Peabody. Potluck dinner with a selection of wines at 6 p.m., followed by the Shabbat service and program at 7 p.m. Learn about trees in the Jewish tradition. Program led by guest speaker Jason Gaines. Children will have a planting project. To reserve a spot or to sign up to bring a dairy/vegetarian main dish, vegetable or salad, call 978-535-2100 or email bsimons@templebethshalom.org.
Saturday, Jan. 26
Estate sale, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Maple Street Congregational Church, 90 Maple St., Danvers. All proceeds benefit the church’s mission and outreach programs. The entire contents of a local condo will be for sale. Items include small furniture, china, clocks, electric gadgets, linens, penguin collectibles, jewelry, area rugs, framed artwork, women’s clothing, wreaths, kitchen items and more. Snow date, Feb. 2. 978-777-0793 or 978-777-6438.
Sunday, Jan. 27
Forum on Immigration Rights, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn, 101 Forest Ave., Swampscott. Facilitated by Jesse Jaeger, executive director of Unitarian Universalist Mass Action. Includes three presenters from the immigration rights community: Jose Palma, organizer for Centro Presente; Katherine Ascuncion of the Student Immigrant Movement; and Lena Graber of the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild. Lunch served at 11 a.m. in the Parish Hall; forum will follow. www.uucgl.org; 781-595-8836, ext. 12; or kbrown@uucgl.org.
The Bible as Literature: The Beatitudes and Psalms, 12:30 to 2 p.m., First Church in Salem, 316 Essex St. A free, nondenominational seminar led by Theo Theoharis, professor of comparative literature at Harvard and MIT. Theoharis will lead participants in an interactive and informative discussion of the texts and their role in the development of Western culture. The seminar is the pilot for an ongoing book group on the Bible as literature, which will meet monthly at a cost of $20 to $25 per person for each session. 978-979-8745, michael_mascolo@yahoo.com, 978-744-5125 or pmassari@gmail.com.
Candlemas Choral Evensong, 5 p.m., Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, 188 Elliott St., Danvers. Candles will be blessed, and choir and congregation with lighted candles will move in procession to celebrate Jesus’ presentation in the temple and the purification of Mary. The choir will sing music of John Bertalot, Herbert Howells and John Stainer. Reception afterward. Free. 978-774-3163, ext. 353.
“Faces of the Night,” 7 p.m., Temple Beth Shalom, 489 Lowell St., Peabody. Tenor Kevin Margolius and pianist David Sparr will perform Jewish music of danger, dreams and celebration. Wine, cheese and crackers served at 6:30 p.m. Dessert reception will follow. $18/advance, $25/at the door, $10/students. Reserve a spot at bsimons@templebethshalom.org.
Tuesday, Jan. 29
Meet AIPAC: A Strategic Discussion on How to Keep Israel Safe and Secure, 7 p.m., Temple Beth Shalom, 489 Lowell St., Peabody. Evening of learning and discussion about Israel with Jacob Baime from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Free. Light refreshments served. Reserve a spot at 978-535-2100.
Thursday, Feb. 14
“Religious Freedom and the Arab Spring,” 4:30 p.m., Gordon College, Ken Olsen Science Center, MacDonald Auditorium, 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham. Presented by Jennifer Bryson, director of the Islam and Civil Society Project at The Witherspoon Institute and a visiting research professor for peace and stability operations at the U.S. Army War College. Bryson also served as an interrogator at the Guantanamo Bay detention camps and has written in favor of human, rapport-building interrogation and against the use of torture. Free. cyndi.mcmahon@gordon.edu or www.gordon.edu.
