Actress from ‘Big Bang Theory’ to Speak in Marin on Jewish Life

A Sunday afternoon talk on Jewish life in Marin and Hollywood will feature a keynote from Mayim Bialik, who plays Amy Farrah Fowler on “The Big Bang Theory.” 

Bialik, who starred in the sitcom “Blossom” from 1990 to 1994, will discuss what it’s like to observe Judaism in Hollywood and what values keep her sane. She holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience, has two young children, is a spokesperson for the Holistic Moms Network, and recently published her first book, Beyond the Sling.

After Bialik’s keynote at the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, there will be a conversation and Q&A on Marin’s Jewish culture with Bialik, Maya Bernstein, director of education and leadership initiatives at UpStart Bay Area, and several other diverse voices from the Marin Jewish community including:

• Geraldine Barr: A traditional, Jewish, lesbian mother in search of the perfect chicken soup recipe.
• Dove and Zviki Govrin: Hosts of BEYTI (Beit Tarbut Ysraeli, House of Israeli Culture), a place where Marin Israelis can gather together, sing Hebrew songs, and celebrate holidays like back home in Israel.
• David Knepler: Co-founder of Gan HaLev (The Jewish Congregation of San Geronimo Valley), adoptive father of two, and facilitator of the Jewish American Fiction Book Club.
• Marlene Saritzky: Her life has fluctuated in and out of Judaism with stops at camp, rebellion, un-affiliation, NITA, and back again.
• Natalia Straus: She has a Christian mother, a Muslim father, a Jewish husband, and a life in the Jewish community. She is the director of individual gifts at the Osher Marin JCC.
• Gina Waldman: She was born in Libya, fled to Italy, immigrated to San Francisco, and settled in Marin. She was the director of the Bay Area Council for Soviet Jewry, and is the co-founder of JIMENA (Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa).
• Rabbi Menachem Landa: He was born in Montreal. He moved to Marin last year with his three children and is serving as Novato’s only rabbi.

The event is set for Sunday, March 17, from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10. Click here for more information.