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Karla S. Blume

Karla S. Blume

Repairing the World, One Book at a Time

Finding the true meaning of the word “mitzvah” can be a difficult task, especially as a newly minted teen. While the Hebrew word means commandment, it’s also come to mean an expression of loving-kindness. And luckily for seventh-grader Jacob Tobias, 12, he knew right away what his mitzvah was when he set out on a mission of good deeds.

Bringing a ‘Golem’ to Life

For a scare steeped in Jewish mysticism this Halloween, REDCAT is bringing Paul Wegener’s “The Golem” to the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater on Friday and Saturday night. But the screening of the 1920 silent horror classic, which recounts the Eastern European legend of a large clay figure brought to life to protect the Jews of Prague, will be accompanied by the debut of an improvised musical score by Brian LeBarton.

Book for Kids Answers Cancer Questions

When Beverlye Hyman Fead was diagnosed with fourth-stage inoperable cancer in 2002, her doctors gave her two months to live. After being treated with four different forms of chemotherapy and two experimental treatments, the eight large tumors lining her abdomen were reduced and she’s been able to live with the cancer.

10-K to Stomp Out AK-47s.

Ten years ago, any talk of the shooting victims of the North Valley Jewish Community Center would likely have been discouraging to hear, at best. Now two of the survivors, Mindy Finkelstein, 26, and Joshua Stepakoff, 16, have put the fear behind them and joined up with Women Against Gun Violence (WAGV) to organize Victory Over Violence, a 10-K run and 5-K run/walk and kids fun-run. Finkelstein chose the Los Angeles-based WAGV because it donates money to gun-violence victims and reinforces a zero-tolerance attitude about the use of guns by having victims tell their story in public venues. “Mindy and I wanted to do something positive to remember this day, to raise more awareness about gun violence,” Stepakoff said.

Party Like a (Bar Mitzvah) Rock Star

Most parents are willing to do anything to make their kids’ dream bar or bat mitzvah celebration come true, even if it means fulfilling rock-star ambitions — be they genuine or virtual.

Theater: Sax on the mic molds music into ‘Clay’

Since the beginning of human history, man has struggled to figure out the meaning of life. Writer and solo performer Matt Sax\’s hip-hop musical, \”Clay,\” doesn\’t just explain the notion of pain and struggle, but makes audiences part of the cure.

L.A. punk rock poet Rollins tours Israel — on TV

Before Henry Rollins returns to the Independent Film Channel on April 13 with his alternative brand of celebrity interviews, the late-night host will precede the second season premier of \”The Henry Rollins Show\” with a half-hour special on the Jewish state. \”Henry Rollins: Uncut From Israel\” mixes tidbits of Rollins\’ tour of the Holy Land with moments of his politically charged spoken-word show recorded in Tel Aviv earlier this year.

Rock ‘n’ roll dreams come true at the Westside JCC

The musicality of this band was evident from the start due in no small part to the piano parts derived by Isaac Himmelman, also the band\’s singer. He was charismatic and easy on the eyes, a rock star in training. Himmelman comes from a musical family and took the love of the audience all in stride.

Time for the last dance at folk dancing venue

Café Danssa opened for business in December 1965 on a nondescript block of West Los Angeles on Pico Boulevard. The name of the business was a morphing of the first three letters of Dani Dassa\’s first name and the last three letters of his last name.

Reggae grows another Jewish branch

One of the most meaningful Jewish gifts would have to be the planting of an elan, Hebrew for tree, in Israel in one\’s honor.

And in the case of Los Angeles-born musician Elan, no other name would suit him quite as well.

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