SUN | AUG 26
“CHAILIGHTS”
The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony celebrates its 18th, or Chai, anniversary at the Ford Amphitheatre. The event features the orchestral ensemble performing fiery Spanish sonorities, dark laments, riotous folk and much more. The Aug. 26 concert marks the U.S. premier of “Klezmopolitan Suite” by Niki Reiser, a former member of the klezmer group Kol Simcha, and selections favored by the symphony’s founder and conductor, Noreen Green, spotlighting concertmaster Mark Kashper, cellist Barry Gold and clarinetist Zinovy Goro. Special performers include Sam Glaser accompanied by the newly formed Jewish Community Children’s Choir. Sun. 7:30 p.m. $25-$36 (general), $12 (full-time students, children 12 and under). Ford Theatres, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. (323) 461-3673. fordtheatres.org or lajewishsymphony.com.
“JEWISH ART IN ELUL AND THE NEW YEAR”
The lead-up to the High Holy Days has inspired this exhibition featuring work incorporating found art, calligraphy, micrography, expressionism and more. Participating artists include Rae Antonoff, Aharon Aba Ben Avraham, Barbara Mendes, Freda Nessim, Yoram Partush, Sarah Devora Podolski and Rae Shagalov. Light refreshments, kosher wine and a chance to meet the artists highlight today’s opening reception. Through Oct. 12. Sun. Opening reception: 3-7 p.m. Gallery hours: Noon-7 p.m. (Sunday-Thursday). Free. Barbara Mendes Gallery, 2701 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 558-3215. barbaramendes.org.
“ROXY ROTHAFEL: AMERICAN SHOWMAN”
Samuel “Roxy” Rothafel — film exhibitor, radio broadcaster, theater manager and war propagandist — helped movies become the dominant form of mass entertainment between 1908 and 1935. UCSB film and media studies professor Ross Melnick, author of “American Showman: Samuel ‘Roxy’ Rothafel and the Birth of the Entertainment Industry,” discusses Rothafel’s multifaceted career and his contributions to American popular culture. A book signing and a film screening follow. Sun. 3 p.m. $11 (general), $9 (seniors, students), $7 (American Cinematheque members). Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 461-2020. americancinemathequecalendar.com.
TUE | AUG 28
“JUST 45 MINUTES FROM BROADWAY”
The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival and The Jewish Journal present this exclusive sneak preview of writer-director Henry Jaglom’s family drama. Actress Pandora Isaacs (Tanna Frederick), stinging from a romantic breakup, retreats to the safety of her stage-actor parents’ country house, where her non-theatrical sister (Julie Davis) and her sister’s non-Jewish fiancé (Judd Nelson) are also arriving for the family’s yearly Passover seder. Journal Arts & Entertainment Editor Naomi Pfefferman moderates a post-screening Q-and-A with Jaglom, Frederick and Nelson. Tue. 7:30 p.m. $11. Laemmle’s Music Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (213) 368-1661 or 800-838-3006. lajfilmfest.org.
“FAMILIES AND CYBERBULLYING: UNDERSTANDING AND ADDRESSING CYBERBULLYING”
A 90-minute training for adult family members and middle school and high school youth examines how to empower students and families to respond to cyberbullying and how to foster a culture of e-safety and moral action on issues related to online social cruelty. Adults and youth participate separately but reconvene for a community closing. Part of the BJE, Anti-Defamation League and the Board of Rabbis of Southern California campaign, “Click Responsibly: A Jewish Response to Cyberbulling,” an effort to increase awareness of positive online behavior. Tue. 7-9 p.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (310) 446-4233. clickresponsibly.org.
THU | AUG 30
KOL SEPHARDIC CHOIR
Known for Ladino and Sephardic liturgical music in Hebrew with Sephardic melodies, the Southern California musical ensemble performs an “Evening of Sephardic Music” alongside flamenco dancers. Thu. 6:45 p.m. Free. Los Angeles Public Library’s Robertson Branch, 1719 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 557-1096. lapl.org.
FRI | AUG 31
“LIFE IS STRANGE”
Highlighting Yiddish culture and portraying a universal experience of carefree childhood, director Isaac Hertz’s documentary evokes the vibrant life of Jewish families in pre-war Europe through the childhood memories of Holocaust survivors. Started as an attempt by two friends to trace a family history, the project grew to a feature-length story of 25 people around the world and includes interviews with Shimon Peres, president of the State of Israel; Walter Kohn, Nobel laureate in chemistry; Robert Aumann, Nobel laureate in economics; and children’s book author Uri Orlev. Fri. Various times. $11 (general), $8 (children under 12, seniors). Laemmle’s Music Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. Laemmle’s Town Center 5, 17200 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (310) 478-3836. laemmle.com.
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