Calendar Picks and Clicks: Oct. 13-19, 2012

SUN OCT 14

11th Annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days

Dedicated to the life and memory of journalist Daniel Pearl, this October music month features concerts across the globe, including today’s performance of “Songs of Salomone Rossi: Harmony for Humanity” by Tesserae at Contrapuntal Recital Hall in Brentwood. Other concerts include Ray Dewey (Oct. 16); Chabad-hosted Hakafot (Oct. 20); the Phil Ranelin Jazz Ensemble (Oct. 21); the Kadima String Quartet (Oct. 24 & 28); the UCLA Philharmonia (Oct. 25); the Daniel Pearl Magnet High School Choir (Oct. 26); Cantor Ruti Braier, the Orange County Wind Ensemble and conductor William Nicholls (Oct. 26); the Harmony Project and the West Los Angeles Branch of the Music Student Services League (Oct. 28); Yuval Ron, Russell Steinberg, Mitchell Newman and Hazzan Mike Stein (Oct. 29); and Conductor Noreen Green of the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, Cantor Magda Fishman and Cantor Marcus Feldman (Oct. 30). Through Oct. 31. For information about other Daniel Pearl World Music Days performances, visit danielpearlmusicdays.org.

30 Years After Civic Action Conference

The Iranian-American Jewish group’s third biennial conference explores the imperative of civic participation and community leadership from the Iranian-American Jewish community. Speakers include Ambassador Dennis Ross, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Consul General of Israel David Siegel and former U.N. Ambassador Mark Wallace, the current CEO of United Against Nuclear Iran. The daylong conference will include a mayoral candidates forum; an organizational fair; and sessions on the future of the Middle East, Jewish life in Los Angeles, Israel and Iran, activism, political action and philanthropy. Sun. 9:30 a.m. (opening plenary), 7 p.m. (keynote gala dinner). $150 (includes glatt kosher breakfast, lunch, cocktail reception, community organization fair and gala dinner). Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506 S. Grand Ave., downtown. 30yearsafter.org.

TUE OCT 16

“Battle for Our Minds”

Michael Widlanski, a specialist in Arab politics and communication, appears in person to discuss his new book, “Battle for Our Minds: Western Elites and the Terror Threat,” and why America and the Jewish people remain prime targets of terrorists. A book signing follows. Tue. 7 p.m. Free (reservations required). Museum of Tolerance, 9786 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 553-8403. museumoftolerance.com.

WED OCT 17

“Deeply Rooted” and “Photographic Visions of the Diaspora”

An artists’ reception celebrates two exhibitions opening at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. “Deeply Rooted” explores the connection between the two primordial trees in the Garden of Eden while “Photographic Visions of the Diaspora” highlights the once-vibrant but rapidly fading world of Jewish shopkeepers. Wed. 5-7 p.m. (reception). Through Dec. 14 (“Deeply Rooted”). Through May 31 (“Photographic Visions”). Free. Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, 3077 University Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 765-2106. huc.edu.

Mayoral Candidates Forum

Los Angeles mayoral candidates Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, L.A. City Council member Jan Perry and L.A. City Controller Wendy Greuel discuss their positions on issues facing Los Angeles and participate in a Q-and-A with the audience. A meet-and-greet reception featuring local representatives within the public and private sectors precedes the candidates’ forum. Light refreshments served. Organized by Temple Isaiah’s Isaiah Continuing Enrichment program. Wed. 6-7 p.m. (meet and greet), 7:30-9 p.m. (mayoral candidates forum). Free. Temple Isaiah, 10345 W. Pico  Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 277-2772. templeisaiah.com.

THU OCT 18

“The Other Son”

French-Jewish writer-director Lorraine Le-
vy’s family drama follows two young men — one Israeli, the other Palestinian — who discover that they were accidentally switched at birth. The revelation turns the lives of the two families upside down, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, values and beliefs. Thu. 7:30 p.m. $10. Laemmle Town Center, 17200 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (213) 368-1661. lajfilmfest.org.

FRI OCT 19

“Simon and the Oaks” 

Swedish director Lisa Ohlin’s epic drama portrays the situation of Jews in Sweden during World War II. Spanning the years 1939 to 1952, the film follows Simon, an intellectually gifted boy from a working-class family in Gothenburg who attends an upper-class grammar school. Soon he meets Isak, the son of a wealthy Jewish bookseller who has fled Nazi persecution in Germany. When Simon’s family takes in Isak, the boys’ households merge and connect in unexpected ways. Fri. Various times. $13 (general), $10 (matinees, seniors, children). Landmark Theatres, 10850 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-6291. landmarktheatres.com.