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Picks and Clicks for Feb. 14–20, 2009

Picks and Clicks for Feb. 14–20, 2009
[additional-authors]
February 13, 2009

SAT | FEBRUARY 14
” title=”www.polanskiunauthorized.com”>www.polanskiunauthorized.com.

(FILM)
Half-Jewish actor Joaquin Phoenix co-stars with half-Jewish actress Gwyneth Paltrow in a dark romantic flick about a love triangle featuring two Jews and a shiksa. We bet you can guess who plays the shiksa goddess. In “Two Lovers,” Phoenix plays a Jewish Brooklynite in the dry-cleaning business who is torn between a free-spirited, blonde WASP and his parents’ choice — a sweet, stable Jewish girl from a wealthy family. Reviews of James Gray’s film have been positive, and critics laud Phoenix’s performance as emotionally subtle and complex. It’s too bad his retirement from acting might mean this is the last time we see him on the silver screen. Check theaters for showtimes. ” title=”www.sababaparties.com”>www.sababaparties.com.

SUN | FEBRUARY 15
(LECTURE)
Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of University of California at Irvine’s Law School, will discuss future nominations to the U.S. Supreme Court and the ways they are likely to affect the interpretation of the Constitution, among other hot topics. With Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg battling pancreatic cancer, the topic couldn’t be more relevant. Sponsors (available from $250-$2,500) are invited to a private meeting with the dean in the temple’s library. Sun. 7 p.m. $25-$40. Temple Beth David, 6100 Hefley St., Westminster. (714) 892-6623. ” title=”www.aweddingaffair.us”>www.aweddingaffair.us.

TUE | FEBRUARY 17
(MUSICAL)
Calling the Yiddish-fluent, Yiddish-challenged and Yiddish-ignorant. The California Institute for Yiddish Culture and Language, along with Sinai Temple, is hosting Shekhter-Tekhter [The Schaechter Daughters] and Binyumen. New York composer, conductor and pianist Binyumen Schaechter, along with his daughters (ages 14 and 9), are staging a musical revue about kids and their relationship with their parents and the world around them that has been much-lauded in Paris, New York and Australia. Sinai Temple is hosting the only West Coast performance. Songs are in Yiddish; translations are provided. Tue. 7:30 p.m. $18, $8 (students), free (children under 6). Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 745-1190. ” title=”www.whitefiretheatre.com”>www.whitefiretheatre.com.

WED | FEBRUARY 18
” title=”www.uclahillel.org”>www.uclahillel.org.

(BUSINESS MIXER)
For 15 years, the Southern California Israel Chamber of Commerce has been connecting local businesses to businesses in Israel, fostering alliances, technology sharing and learning. The organization is celebrating its milestone with a dinner and awards ceremony, withDavid Nahai as keynote speaker. Nahai, general manager of the L.A. Department of Water and Power, recently accompanied L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on a trip to Israel and signed a co-operation agreement with an Israeli company that develops water technologies. Wed. 7-9 p.m. $60. 142 S. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 410-2300 ext. 310. admin@scicc.biz. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>(LECTURE)
There is perhaps no one better qualified to talk about terrorism and ideology than Judea Pearl, the father of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. Pearl is the co-founder and president of the Daniel Pearl Foundation, an organization dedicated to dialogue and understanding the root causes of his tragedy, as well as the Daniel Pearl Dialogue for Muslim-Jewish Understanding. Pearl will present “Being Jewish, American, Western in the Post-9/11 Era” as the 2009 Feinberg Lecture, a series dedicated to discussing the role of Judaism in the world today. R.S.V.P. is required. Thu. 7:30 p.m. Free. Whittier College, AJ Villalobos Hall, 7214 Painter Ave., Whittier. (562) 907-4912 or (562) 907-4219.
” title=”www.standwithus.com”>www.standwithus.com.

(MUSIC)
Long before Israel was a state, the Palestinians were a people and the Middle East was a war zone, the civilizations that thrived in the region shared musical traditions. Arabs, Jews, Turks and Armenians alike blew on the ney, pounded the darbukkah and strummed the oud. Reviving these ancient exotic sounds, Eliyahu and The Qadim Ensemble also hope to reawaken the sense of community between the now-warring cultures. Made up of both Jewish and Arab musicians, the group is touring the West Coast promoting their new CD, “Eastern Wind,” and performing their soulful, rhythmic blend using Persian stick fiddles, Indian tablas, Turkish lutes, Arabic percussion and other eclectic instruments, accompanied by vocals. Thu. 8:30 p.m. $12 (advance), $15 (at the door). Levantine Cultural Center, 5774 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 657-5511. ” title=”www.nessah.org”>www.nessah.org.

(MUSICAL)
Thieves, whores and melodic melodies. It’s all included in “The Threepenny Opera.” First performed in 1928, the play — by Bertolt Brecht, an outspoken Nazi critic, and composer Kurt Weill, the son of a cantor — has made the story of “Mac the Knife” and his cohort of criminals legendary. “It’s a satire on capitalism and corruption told from the viewpoint of the ‘little people,’” notes Jules Aaron, director of the play. “If there was ever time to revive this show, it’s now.” Fri. 8 p.m. $35-$60. Through Mar. 22. International City Theatre, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. (562) 436-4610.

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