Calendar Girls Picks and Clicks Sept. 26- Oct. 3: Israeli flag raising, free Rosh Hashanah services

FRI | SEPT 26

(SHABBAT)
Step outside the box and into the outdoor air for a musical Shabbat on the Promenade. Alula Tzadik, an Ethiopian Jew who is a staple at Sinai’s Friday Night Live, Nashuva and Adat Ari El, is assembling a group of spiritual leaders for a public Shabbat service led by Rabbi Monty Turner. Fri. 7:30 p.m. Free. 1322 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica. (323) 472-7484. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.alpertjcc.org.

(CONCERT)
Kick back under a starry sky and listen to some smooth jazz with Dave Koz, who headlines tonight at the 12th annual Mercedes-Benz WaveFest. The Encino-born saxophonist and 94.7 The WAVE radio host recently released a greatest hits collection and got his own star on the Walk of Fame. Koz will perform on the same bill with Average White Band, vocalist Brenda Russell, and Joe Sample and Randy Crawford. Friday show features Anita Baker. Sat. 7 p.m. $29.75-$129.75. The Greek Theatre, 2700 N. Vermont, Los Angeles. (323) 665-5857. ” title=”make history today”>make history today when it becomes the first in the nation to fly Israel’s flag outside its doors. A star-studded lineup, including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Consul General Jacob Dayan, ” target=”_blank”>http://www.israeliconsulatela.org.

(MUSIC)
Whether you’ve still not seen “Wicked” or want the opportunity to relive the spectacular Broadway hit, Stephen Schwartz has a treat just for you. In “Defying Gravity: Stephen Schwartz and Friends,” the composer will be joined by Debbie Gravitte and Scott Coulter as he plays favorites from “Wicked” as well as the films “Enchanted” and “Prince of Egypt.” Sun. 2 p.m. $45. Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. (310) 506-4522 or (213) 365-3500. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.vistadelmar.org.

(FILM)
Part of a double-feature screening of new films from Germany features “And Along Came Tourists.” Sven travels to Auschwitz and becomes the caretaker for an embittered Holocaust survivor to fulfill his national service abroad. After meeting interpreter Ania, the two find love in the unlikeliest of places. This showing is preceded by “The Wave.” Sun. 7:30 p.m. $10. The Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. (323) 634-4878. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.circlesocal.org.

(CONFERENCE)
You know a city has historic significance when Steven Spielberg uses its name for the title of a film. But this weeklong conference, “Remembering Munich: The Legacy of Appeasement” is not about the 1972 Olympic games tragedy. Instead, it recalls the 70th anniversary of the Munich Agreement, detailing Hitler’s territorial demands on the eve of World War II. The American Freedom Alliance presentation features commentary from scholars, statesman and community leaders from around the world, including the former prime ministers of Australia and of the Czech Republic. Sun. 12:30-2:30 p.m. Reception to follow. Free. InterContinental Hotel, Grand Salon, 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Century City. (310) 444-3085. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.sinaitemple.org.

Apples and honey are one thing, but appletinis are quite another. Gather with Stephen S. Wise’s “W Group” (20s and 30s) for the sixth annual Appletini Party, stocked with drinks and dessert, immediately following erev Rosh Hashanah services. Mon. 9:30 p.m. Free. Stephen S. Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 476-8561. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.chaicenter.org.

Chabad of the Conejo is transforming The Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Hotel into a holy place for services this year. Attendees also have the option of staying at a High Holy Days retreat complete with meals, so call to make reservations. Mon. 6:30 p.m. $50-$100. Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel, 880 South Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. (818) 991-0991. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.jewishmalibu.com.

California State University, Northridge, is offering students free services both days of Rosh Hashanah. Mon. 6 p.m. and Tue. 10 a.m. Free (students), $125 (guests). $10 (dinner). CSUN Hillel, 17729 Plummer St., Northridge. (818) 887-5901 or (818) 886-5101. ” target=”_blank”>http://jha.org.

Celebrate the High Holy Days in a historic log building among the Ponderosa Pines with B’nai Big Bear. Mon. 6-9:45 p.m. $36 (members), $100 (nonmembers). Miller Park, 1178 Chickasaw Lane, Fawnskin. (909) 866-9556. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.jewishjournal.com/calendar.

Everyone is welcome to cast away their sins at Nashuva’s popular Tashlich at Venice Beach. This meaningful ritual gets elevated when you dress in white, toss your crumbs, pound on drums and blow the shofar. Tue. 4:30 p.m. Free. Where Venice Boulevard meets the sand. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.jconnectla.com.

The sweetness of comedy-lover and Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada pervades this New Year celebration as the Sunset Boulevard staple opens its doors to everybody, especially “actors, writers and comedians who can’t afford to join a temple,” for free High Holy Days services conducted by Rabbi Bob Jacobs. No donations or tickets accepted. Now that’s almost laughable. Tue. 11 a.m. Free. The Laugh Factory, 8001 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 656-1336. ” target=”_blank”>http://chabadofconejo.com.

The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring hosts a sweet treat with reflections on the past year, followed by a snack with apples, challah and honey. Tue. 3 p.m. $10 (members), $20 (nonmembers). Arbeter Ring, 1525 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 552-2007. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>contemporary music. Kosky will debut his dark adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart” at UCLA Live’s seventh International Theatre Festival. Starring Martin Neidermair and featuring Kosky’s solo performance of his original live music, the director transforms Poe’s tale of murder and retribution into a haunting theatrical and musical experience. Wed. 8 p.m. $46. Through Oct. 5. (310) 825-2101. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.hollywoodbowl.com.

THU | OCT 2

(STAGED READING)
Watch the 2008 vice-presidential nominees Joe Biden and Sarah Palin square off on the big screen followed by a staged reading about the 1950 California Senate race that earned young Richard Nixon the nickname “Tricky Dick.” After Nixon falsely accused three-time liberal Rep. Helen Gahagan Douglas of being a ” target=”_blank”>http://www.tickets.landmarktheatres.com.

(BOOK CLUB)
Dive into the Jewish literature you’ve always heard about but never read. Michal Lemberger, a UCLA English professor and freelance writer, will moderate the discussion during Westwood Branch Library’s Three-Part Jewish Literature Series. Among the books to be read: “The Chosen,” by best-selling author Chaim Potok, about the friendship that develops between two teenage Jewish boys; and “Foreskin’s Lament: A Memoir,” by Shalom Auslander, a funny reflection about the role of faith by the “This American Life” contributor and author of “Beware of God: Stories.” Thu. 6-7 p.m. Free. Westwood Branch Library, 1246 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1739. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>holidays where dinner, music and services will calm you from Rosh Hashanah and pep you up for Yom Kippur. Fri. 7:30 p.m. $10 (dinner, R.S.V.P.). Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. (310) 926-2386. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.booksoup.com.

(FILM)
Bill Maher has taken his irreverent humor and distaste for religion to the silver screen. In the documentary “Religulous,” directed by Larry Charles of “Borat” fame, Maher travels the world questioning religious devotees about their faith as he investigates religion’s “place” in society. The host of HBO’s “Real Time” uses his biting sarcasm and quick wit to challenge his subjects and explain his view that religion is silly and dangerous. In the end, Maher makes a powerful plea to the viewer advocating the separation of church and state. ” title=”Lilly Fowler”>Lilly Fowler contributed to this article