What’s Happening in Jewish L.A. May 11-17: Comedy Festival, Former Israeli Prime Minister

FRI MAY 11
EGGEMON COMEDY FESTIVAL

More than 30 comedians ranging from Los Angeles’ most promising up-and-comers to international headliners and celebrities converge for the three-day Eggemon Comedy Festival, to be held at a private, outdoor space in the heart of Mid-City. Featuring Danny Lobell, Erica Rhodes and headlined by Todd Glass, the festival features comedians sharing their best stories around the Shabbat table; a comedy music variety show; an industry panel; a Mother’s Day show; food vendors from some of L.A.’s top restaurants; complimentary drinks, lounge area, photo ops and even free-range, live chickens roaming the area. Friday 7 p.m. Saturday 8:30 p.m. Sunday 2 p.m. $32 Friday, $22 Saturday and Sunday, $63 festival pass. Address to be provided upon ticket purchase. eggemon.com.

SAT MAY 12
“ALEICHEM SHOLOM!: THE WIT AND WISDOM OF SHOLOM ALEICHEM”

This new musical explores the life of the beloved Yiddish storyteller and his mishpachah, featuring stories about his loves and losses, fame and failures, travels and travails. Based on Aleichem’s letters and stories and the controversy surrounding some of his writings (the musical “Fiddler on the Roof” is based on his stories about Tevye the dairyman), the production is written by and stars Chris DeCarlo and Evelyn Rudie and features music by Ben Weisman. 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 3:30 p.m. Sundays. Through June 24. $35. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth St. Santa Monica. (310) 394-9779, ext. 1. santamonicaplayhouse.com.

“COMEDY SPORTS”

The Art of the Teen and Maccabi Clash present a night of improv comedy sports, with guest artist Ezra Weisz, an acting and improvisation instructor. The Art of the Teen offers monthly performance-based gatherings for teens throughout L.A. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free with own transportation, $10 for the bus from the San Fernando Valley. Westside Jewish Community Center, 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (424) 298-0894. theatredybbuk.org.

SUN MAY 13
YOM YERUSHALAYIM DAY

A community-wide celebration of Yom Yerushalayim Day, organized by the Religious Zionists of Los Angeles, starts with morning davening, followed by breakfast and a screening of the documentary “Roadmap Jerusalem,” recognizing Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the Jewish people. The newest holiday on the Jewish calendar — saluting a reunified Jerusalem six weeks after the Passover seder and one week before Shavuot — was created after the Six-Day War in 1967. 8-10 a.m. Free. Young Israel of Century City, 9317 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 273-6954. For more details, email office@rzla.org.

MOTHER’S DAY REMEMBRANCE SERVICE

Rabbi Cantor Didi Thomas of Temple Emet leads a service that reflects on mothers and how they shape their children’s lives. Featuring pianist Leslie Sharp, violinist Rebecca Lynn, harpist Jill Risigary-Gai and storyteller Michael Katz. Refreshments served. Please contribute canned or dry goods, eyeglasses or hearing aids for the Hillside Chesed Project. 10 a.m. Free. Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary, 6001 W. Centinela Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 641-0707. hillsidememorial.org/events.

TWO-FOR-ONE CONCERT

Billing their latest recordings as “2 New Albums, 1 Concert,” Rebekah Mirsky and Juval Porat introduce “The In-between” and “Theology.” For those who cannot attend, the concert will be live-streamed on Harmony in Unison’s Facebook page. A live band accompanies Porat and Mirsky. 3 p.m. Free, donations welcome. Beth Chayim Chadashim, 6090 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 931-7023. bcc-la.org.

HONOR OUR MOTHERS AND THE MOTHERLAND

Enjoy an evening of dining, live music and dancing, featuring a kosher dinner by Navaz Catering (appetizer, dinner, dessert) and the DioNick Band. All family members welcome. Open bar. 5 p.m.-midnight. $55 in advance, $70 at the door (children require full ticket price.) Simcha Hall, Nessah Synagogue, 142 S. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 273-2400. nessah.org.

MON MAY 14
MULTIFAITH HARMONY

Leaders from the Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities in Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic in the Caucasus, sit down together for a program titled “Multifaith Harmony Without Conflict.” The leaders reflect on what religious pluralism and tolerance feel like in a majority-Muslim country. 7:30-9 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518. sinaitemple.org.

TUE MAY 15
WOMEN’S HEALTH LUNCHEON

Charite Ricker, a genetic counselor with the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Joi Morris, a lawyer and patient advocate, discuss “Jewish Inherited Cancers: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention” during the Kehillat Israel Society of Sisters Women’s Health Luncheon. Suitable for every generation. Catered by Our Kosher Table. 11 a.m. $18. Kehillat Israel, 16019 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2328. ourki.org.

JEWISH MEDITATION

Alison Laichter, founder of the Jewish Meditation Center in New York City, infuses meditation techniques with Jewish language, intentions, texts and understanding for an inclusive and illuminating class. Find your center and quiet your mind. 2 p.m. Free. Reservations recommended. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

“YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT”

Kashrut expert David Kraemer and Sinai Temple Rabbi Nicole Guzik closely inspect a favorite pastime of most Jews, “Jewish Eating and Identity Through the Ages.” That happens also to be the title of one of the seven books by Kraemer, a professor of Talmud at the Jewish Theological Seminary. 7:30-9 p.m. Free for members, $25 for general public. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518. sinaitemple.org.

DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE

A community commemoration of the Holocaust and the 75th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising features speakers Dorothy Greenstein and Sidonia Lax, survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto. A proclamation and memorial candlelighting ceremony open the Burbank City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Ceremony at 7:15 p.m. Free. St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 3801 Scott Road, Burbank. (818) 860-2472. Email thebhrc@gmail.com for more information.

WED MAY 16
ARTISTIC SPECTRUM OF JEWISH LEARNING

Original artwork created by community members with special needs is on display during the OurSpace and the Artistic Spectrum of Jewish Learning 9th Annual Art Gallery. The theme of the show is “How Awesome Is This Place?” The artists will be on hand to explain their pieces. Includes a dessert reception. 7-9 p.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 530-4094. vbs.org.

THU MAY 17
MY COUNTRY, MY LIFE

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, the most decorated soldier in Israel’s history, discusses his 2018 memoir, “My Country, My Life: Fighting for Israel, Searching for Peace.” The kibbutz-born Barak, whose story parallels Israel’s 70 years, critiques American and Israeli politicians, paying special attention to the two-state peace process he sought to achieve. 8 p.m. $20-$45. Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 3663 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 388-2401. livetalksla.org.

GERMAN-JEWISH REFUGEES

Atina Grossman, who teaches modern European and German history and women’s and gender studies at Cooper Union in New York, lectures on “Trauma, Privilege and Adventure in Transit: German Jewish Refugees in Iran and India.” Her discussion examines the ambivalent and paradoxical experiences of Jews who found refuge in the “Orient” of India and Iran after 1933 and the destruction of European Jewry. She draws on a collection of family correspondence and memorabilia from Iran and India, as well as other sources. 4-6 p.m. Free. UCLA Faculty Center, Los Angeles. (310) 267-5327. cjs.ucla.edu.