ADL Discussion, Hedy Lamarr Hall Induction

FRI JULY 13
“HATE AND POLARIZATION”

The Anti-Defamation League and Valley Beth Shalom host a panel discussion on the hate and polarization plaguing America. Rabbi Ed Feinstein talks with state Sen. Bob Hertzberg, state Assemblymen Adrin Nazarian and Jesse Gabriel, and Los Angeles Unified School District Board member Nick Melvoin about the causes and effects of and the potential cures for the current political climate. Light kosher breakfast served. 8–9:30 a.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (310) 446-4243. vbs.org.

FRI JULY 13
SHABBAT AT THE BEACH
Reform congregation Kol Tikvah holds a Shabbat celebration at the beach. Kol Tikvah Rabbi Jon Hanish and Cantor Noa Shaashua lead services. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnic dinner, towels and beach chairs. Challah and dessert served. 5:30–7:30 p.m. Free. Zuma Beach, between lifeguard stations 12 and 13, 30050 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. (818) 348-0670. koltikvah.org.

SHABBAT IN THE PARK
Join Valley Outreach Synagogue Rabbi Ron Li-Paz and Chaplain Jennifer Nye for a Shabbat picnic and service in the park. Vocal group Shira L’Adonai performs. Picnic, 5:30 p.m.; service, 7 p.m. Free. Oak Park Community Center, 5600 Hollytree Drive, Oak Park. (818) 882-4867. vosla.org.

SHABBAT UNDER THE STARS
Wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt, flip-flops or other beachwear as Shomrei Torah Synagogue has “fun, fun, fun” with Beach Boys melodies at the Conservative congregation’s Surfin’ Shabbat Under the Stars kabbalat Shabbat service. The event includes a wine tasting and a celebration of July birthdays. 6–8:30 p.m. Free. Shomrei Torah Synagogue, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. (818) 854-7650. stsonline.org.

DINNER FOR 30 STRANGERS
In the tradition of the Chai Center, Esther and Rabbi Mendel Schwartz host a home-cooked Shabbat dinner for 30 strangers — guests who may not previously have known one another or enjoyed a traditional Shabbat meal together. Need more coaxing? Esther prepares four courses, homemade challah, chicken soup with matzo balls, drinks and dessert. Ages 21–39 only. 7–10:30 p.m. Free. Donations welcome. Hancock Park residence. Address provided upon reservation. (310) 391-7995. RSVP required at chaicenter.org

NOT YOUR BABUSHKA’S SHABBAT
Are you a young adult Russian Jew? Celebrate Shabbat the Russian way, but in a manner your babushka might not recognize. For ages 21–26. Enjoy a Shabbat evening of good food, friendly atmosphere and spiritual discussion. Attendees are encouraged to bring their significant others. 7–10 p.m. Free. Public School 818, 15300 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Register at yajewishla.com. Email szlobina@jewishla.org with questions.

SAT JULY 14
“A TASTE OF TORAH”

Jon Greenberg, who specializes in the study of food and drink in biblical and rabbinic history and halachah, serves up his knowledge as attendees nosh on the foods he teaches about. Come eat, drink and learn as Greenberg draws on Torah and archeological sources. 6 p.m. $5 general admission. B’nai David-Judea, 8906 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 276-9269. bnaidavid.com.

GREAT CHEFS, GREAT HOMES
Join Beth Chayim Chadashim for a delicious meal shared with friends at the home of one of its members. The dinner is a romantically inspired evening featuring a Japanese-style menu and a performance by Grammy-winning guitarist Laurence Juber. 7 p.m. $100. Address of residence provided upon RSVP. (323) 931-7023. bcc-la.org.

“MISS AMERICA’S UGLY DAUGHTER: BESS MYERSON & ME”

In a two-character show, Barra Grant, daughter of Bess Meyerson, the only Jewish Miss America and one of the most famous women of her day, explores her tumultuous relationship with her mother and, in the process, discovers the strength she needs to be a mother to her own daughter. Written and performed by Grant. With Monica Piper. Directed by Eve Brandstein. Through Aug. 12. Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m.; Thursday, July 19, 8 p.m. $55. Edye Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. (800) 838-3006. missamericasuglydaughter.com.

SUN JULY 15
TEMPLE RAMAT ZION BEACH DAY
Cool off with Temple Ramat Zion. The Conservative congregation holds a beach day at the Annenberg Beach House,  featuring ocean views, a splash pad, a playground, gallery and more. Look for the Temple Ramat Zion canopy on the beach. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food, drinks, snacks and plenty of sunscreen. 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Free. Annenberg Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica. (818) 360-1881. trz.org.

UCLA PERIMETER RUN
Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles’ Young Adults of Los Angeles for a four-mile run up Sunset Boulevard, past Bel Air and Beverly Hills and through the heart of Westwood. Runners grab juice and health bowls afterward at Nektar in Westwood Village. 9:30 a.m. Free. Meet at 10906 Le Conte Ave., in Westwood. jewishla.org/event/uclarun.

TORAH FLORA WALKING TOUR
Biblical ethnobotanist Jon Greenberg leads a walking tour of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. 10:30 a.m. $10 adults, free for children under 12. Not including Arboretum admission fee. 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Torahflora.org/events

3G@LAMOTH STARTUP STORIES
Join 3G @ LAMOTH, a community for grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, for “Young Holocaust Survivors in America,” a conversation with Holocaust survivors about restarting their lives after losing almost everything they had and everyone they knew. 5:30–7:30 p.m. $10 suggested donation. Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, 100 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 651-3704. lamoth.org.

“RAISE THE ROOF”

The documentary film “Raise the Roof” spotlights artists Rick and Laura Brown’s decade-long effort to reconstruct the elaborate roof and painted ceilings of the Gwozdziec synagogue, an 18th century Polish house of worship destroyed by the Nazis. 7 p.m. Free. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7353. tbala.org.

WED JULY 18
LEONARD BERNSTEIN
Entertainment industry group Creative Community for Peace celebrates the music of composer Leonard Bernstein with special music performances and guest speakers at the Skirball Cultural Center. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be  served. The event concludes with a private tour of the exhibition “Leonard Bernstein at 100.” 6:30 p.m. $54. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 254-3170. creativecommunityforpeace.com/leonard-bernstein.

HEDY LAMARR

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles honors the life of prominent Austrian-born actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr by inducting her into the Jewish-American Hall of Fame. The organization presents a medal to Lamarr’s son, Anthony Loder, who will speak about his mother, who died in 2000. The program includes a reading of YULA Girls High School student Sonya Kest’s award-winning essay, “Hedy Lamarr, Beauty and the Brain,” and the screening of various short film clips about Lamarr, including one created by Loder. Co-presented by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles and the Jewish-American Hall of Fame. 1:30 p.m. $5. American Jewish University Familian Campus, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. (310) 440-1572. aju.edu.