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What’s Happening In Jewish L.A. Jan. 19-23: Women’s March, Holocaust Memorial and More

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January 18, 2018

FRI JAN 19
SHABBAT AND HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL

Curt Lowens

Celebrate Shabbat while marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day as Emmy-nominated composer Sharon Farber, Temple of the Arts Rabbi David Baron and Remember Us Director Samara Hutman lead a memorial service in honor of survivor, actor and Dutch resistance member Curt Lowens. During World War II, Lowens, who died last May, helped rescue Jewish children. He then turned to acting and appeared in more than 100 film and television projects. The service features a concert based on Lowens’ memoir, “Destination: Questionmark.” Participants include Yiddish actor and director Mike Burstyn, who emcees; the Kadima Conservatory Philharmonic; the 35-piece AJU Choir of American Jewish University; jazz musician Corky Hale; Temple of the Arts Cantor Ilysia Pierce; and German Consul General in Los Angeles Hans Neumann. Shabbat service, 7:30 p.m. Concert, 8 p.m. Free. Temple of the Arts, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (323) 658-9100. bhtota.org.

SOCIAL JUSTICE SHABBAT

Doug McCormick, president of the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness, appears at Kehillat Israel, a Reconstructionist community, to address the growing crisis of homelessness in Los Angeles County. 7 p.m. Free. Kehillat Israel, 16019 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2328. ourki.org.

SAT JAN 20
WOMEN’S MARCH

To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the historic Women’s March of 2017, people will gather in downtown Los Angeles to advocate for ending violence, protecting reproductive rights and more. Starting at Pershing Square and ending at Grand Park and City Hall, this year’s march features music, art, community booths and speakers. About 200,000 attendees are expected. Gather, 9 a.m. March and events, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Start: Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., Los Angeles. End: City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles. (310) 200-0124. womensmarchla.org.

“SPEAK OUT”

Jewish Women’s Theatre (JWT) presents works by four artists who use their individuality and diversity to speak for those who have no voice: Pat Berger, Jenny Rubin, Corrie Siegel and Alexandra Wiesenfeld. The exhibition’s official opening and art talk precedes the premiere performance of JWT’s new salon show, “The Accidental Activist.” Exhibition and art talk are free; tickets required for performance. 6:30 p.m. Through March 5. The Gallery@The Braid, 2912 Colorado Ave., Suite 102, Santa Monica. (310) 315-1400. jewishwomenstheatre.org.

“LAST THOUGHTS: SCHUBERT’S FINAL WORKS”

Ory Shihor

Israeli-American pianist Ory Shihor tells the story behind Franz Schubert’s last compositions — some of the most miraculous music the Austrian composer created — through music and words. This evening of music and storytelling also features text by Canadian-Jewish musician Hershey Felder, who does not appear in the performance. The program features “Impromptu in F minor,” “Sonata in C minor” and “Sonata in B flat major D.” 7:30 p.m. $25-$75. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 746-4000. thewallis.org.

SUN JAN 21
“THE CANTOR’S COUCH”

Jack Mendelson

Temple Judea hosts a journey through Cantor Jack Mendelson’s real-life stories based on growing up in 1950s Brooklyn in “The Cantor’s Couch.” Mendelson paints a picture of a bygone day in Jewish America when Jews would flock to synagogues to hear cantors as if they were in a concert hall. The one-man show weds a relatable story of childhood with joyous memories of music and celebration. Mendelson’s collaborator and accompanist will be Cantor Jonathan Comisar, who wrote original music for this production. All proceeds help support the music program at Temple Judea. 5 p.m. Students, $10; general admission, $18. Temple Judea, Goor Sanctuary, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. (818) 758-3800. templejudea.com.

UNITE 4 ISRAEL

During this second  annual day of unity — Unite 4 Israel — Jewish teenagers celebrate the Jewish state through martial arts, food, learning and more. Workshops include a mock Israel Defense Forces boot camp featuring Hezi Sheli, a former special forces fighter and head instructor of the Israeli Martial Arts Academy in Westlake Village. Also, students explore a 10-by-18-foot copy of the Israeli Declaration of Independence. A hands-on session allows participants to create their own bowl of hummus with guidance by culinary professional Sigal Ratoviz. Rabbi Moshe Bryski of Chabad of the Conejo delivers opening remarks. A buffet lunch features Israeli cuisine and a live DJ. The event also includes Israeli trivia and a raffle. Open to students in grades 8-12 only. 10 a.m. $10. Chabad of Westlake Village, 2425 Townsgate Road, Suite H, Thousand Oaks. israel200.com.

BEN MACINTYRE AND STEVE ROSS

Steve Ross, a professor at USC and author of “Hitler in Los Angeles,” which explores the role of Nazis in L.A. and the spies who stopped them, and British author and historian Ben MacIntyre discuss espionage in World War II Europe and Los Angeles. 1 p.m. $20. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. writersblocpresents.com.

“RACE AND INCLUSIVITY IN THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY”

A panel discusses the challenges and opportunities of inclusivity in the Jewish community. Speakers include Lacey Schwartz, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and director of North America outreach for Be’chol Lashon, which deals with issues of racial and cultural diversity in the Jewish community; Rabbi Sharon Brous, senior founding rabbi of IKAR, a leading voice in reanimating Jewish tradition and practice; and Bruce Phillips, professor of sociology and Jewish communal service at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Presented by the USC Casden Institute and IKAR Los Angeles. Free, reservations requested. 4-5:30 p.m. Doheny Memorial Library, 3550 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, Room 240. (213) 740-1744. usc.edu/esvp.

“THE BEST SATIRICAL SONGS IN HISTORY”

Comedian and screenwriter David Misch headlines an afternoon of musical satire, with songs and film clips featuring Groucho Marx, Randy Newman, Chuck Berry, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Gilbert and Sullivan, Amy Schumer and Bugs Bunny. 4 p.m. $12-$22. American Jewish University Familian Campus, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. (310) 440-1572. aju.edu/whizin.

“BEFORE THE REVOLUTION”

The Israeli community in Iran enjoyed a luxurious life under the Shah. That all changed during the Islamic Revolution. “Before the Revolution,” a documentary made in 2013, tells the story about the last days of the Israeli community in Iran. It features archival footage; interviews with diplomats, Mossad agents, business people and others, and is presented from the perspective of a director whose family was a part of this Israeli community. The film will be shown at Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel in Westwood. Refreshments served. 4:30 p.m. Free. Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel, 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 475-7000. sephardictemple.org.

FLAMENCO DANCER LEILAH BROUKHIM

Leilah Broukhim

Flamenco powerhouse Leilah Broukhim performs “Dejando Huellas” (“Traces”), a personal story about her Jewish and Persian heritage. This L.A. debut showcases the Spanish art form and the performer’s commitment to a tale of a woman searching for meaning and identity. 7:30 p.m. $33-$78. Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. (818) 677-8800. valleyperformingartscenter.org.

TUE JAN 23
“PRESERVATION AND INNOVATION: THE TRACKS OF THE MASTER SCRIBE”

Sara Milstein, assistant professor of Hebrew Bible and Near Eastern Studies at the University of British Columbia, discusses the “master scribes” of the ancient Near East and their method of introducing changes to texts in the course of transmission. Linguists, academics and bookworms should enjoy this UCLA Center for Jewish Studies lecture. Noon. Free. UCLA, 314 Royce Hall, Los Angeles. (310) 267-5327. cjs.ucla.edu.

“STRIVE NOT TO GOSSIP”

When is it permissible to speak about someone who isn’t present? When is it forbidden to spread information about another person — whether it is true or not? Incorporating the teachings of the “Chafetz Chaim” (the Jewish “Bible” about gossip), Rabbi Jonathan Aaron explores the subtleties of what is considered in Jewish tradition to be one of the most dangerous of human behaviors, lashon harah (the evil tongue). 7 p.m. Free. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737. tebh.org/striveclass.

“BIMBAM: WATCH SOMETHING JEWISH”

Sarah Lefton

Sarah Lefton, founder of BimBam (formerly G-dcast), which uses digital storytelling to spark connections to Judaism for learners of all ages, appears at this special evening for parents with young children. She shares a series of Jewish videos and animated series that can elevate children’s free time and help bring Judaism into the home. 7:30 p.m. Stephen
Wise Temple members, $15; public, $20. Stephen Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 476-8561. wisela.org/cjl.

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