Calendar Picks and Clicks September 11–17, 2009

Even faced with the worst of circumstances — war, poverty, illness and hunger — children make use of what’s around them to create toys. “The Power to Play — From Trash to Treasure” is a new ChildFund International and Museum of Tolerance exhibit that displays this indomitable spirit, showcasing more than 200 toys handmade by disadvantaged children around the world, using scraps of metal, discarded bottles and other waste to entertain themselves. Former Miss USA, Shauntay Hinton, who was sponsored by the same organization — ChildFund — as the young toymakers, will share her inspiring story. Children will also have the chance to create their own toy from recycled materials. Sun. 1:30-4 p.m. Through Dec. 31. Free. Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance, 9786 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (804) 756-8987. childfund.org.

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Dikla Kadosh

September 9, 2009

SAT | SEPTEMBER 12

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(FUNDRAISER)
Larger Than Life is an Israeli nonprofit that provides an entire spectrum of support for Israeli children with cancer and their families, from financial assistance to social activities to counseling. Once a year, the organization funds a two-week dream vacation to Los Angeles for the children. The Larger Than Life L.A. Family gala, with entertainment by Israeli pop singer Maya Buskila, comedian Modi and DJ Eyal, raises money for these efforts. Dinner, dancing and a raffle are also included.Sat. 6:30 p.m. $250. Los Angeles Marriott Downtown, 333 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. (877) 952-7437. {encode=”office@largerthanlifela.com” title=”office@largerthanlifela.com”}. ” title=”hotelcafe.com”>hotelcafe.com. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>(FAMILY)
Even faced with the worst of circumstances — war, poverty, illness and hunger — children make use of what’s around them to create toys. “The Power to Play — From Trash to Treasure” is a new ChildFund International and Museum of Tolerance exhibit that displays this indomitable spirit, showcasing more than 200 toys handmade by disadvantaged children around the world, using scraps of metal, discarded bottles and other waste to entertain themselves. Former Miss USA, Shauntay Hinton, who was sponsored by the same organization — ChildFund — as the young toymakers, will share her inspiring story. Children will also have the chance to create their own toy from recycled materials. Sun. 1:30-4 p.m. Through Dec. 31. Free. Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance, 9786 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (804) 756-8987. ” title=”jbbbsla.org/poker”>jbbbsla.org/poker.

(CONVENTION)
This year’s Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention will feature Larry Hama, who wrote the majority of the “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” comic books; voice actors from the 1980s “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” animated series; actress Juliet Landau from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel”; and a dealer’s room full of books, toys, trading cards, collectibles, movie memorabilia and more. Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $8. Shrine Auditorium Expo Center, 700 W. 32nd St., Los Angeles. (818) 954-8432. ” title=”thewestdoc.com”>thewestdoc.com.

(POLITICS)
Neoconservative movement founder Norman Podhoretz will discuss his new book, “Why Are Jews Liberals?” at an event sponsored by the Children of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, the David Horowitz Freedom Center and Jewish Current Issues. The former editor of Commentary attempts to explain why so many American Jews vote Democratic. Mon. 7 p.m. $10. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Registration is required. (818) 704-0523. {encode=”info@cjhsla.org” title=”info@cjhsla.org”}.

TUE | SEPTEMBER 15

(MIXER)
A new group for young Jewish professionals in Los Angeles is having its kickoff mixer in West Hollywood. The Jews for Judaism Tomorrow Project is the young professionals division of Jews for Judaism and hopes to bring together Jews ages 21-35 of all backgrounds through social, educational and fundraising events. The group invites young professionals to get involved and help shape its agenda and focus. Tue. 8 p.m. $10 (prepaid), $15 (at the door). Formosa Cafe, 7156 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. (310) 556-3344. {encode=”tal@jewsforjudaism.org” title=”tal@jewsforjudaism.org”}. ” title=”thesmell.org”>thesmell.org. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>(MUSIC)
The Sway Machinery, a modern cantorial indie band, will headline JDub Records’ oh-so-mysterious “Hidden Melodies Revealed,” a “secret” multimedia celebration of Rosh Hashanah. Part ritual and part rock concert, the hip Holy Days performance includes an open bar reception before the show, free entrance and free parking — what more could you want from an L.A. event? Sponsors include Tablet, Reboot, The Jewish Federation, The Jewish Journal, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles and others. Thu. 8 p.m. (reception), 9 p.m. (show). Free. Piness Auditorium, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 3663 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. j ” title=”malabomba.com”>malabomba.com.

FRI | SEPTEMBER 18

(THEATER)
Reinhard Heydrich, considered the chief architect of the Nazis’ Final Solution, and Heinrich Himmler, his immediate superior and rival, scheme against one another in a bid to gain policital power in the play “Heydrick/Hitler/Holocaust” by Cornelius Schnauber. The novelist and scholar is the director of the Max Kade Institute for Austrian-German-Swiss studies at USC and has received numerous honors for his scholarly work. Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. Sun. at 3 p.m. Through Oct. 11. $15. The MET Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford Ave., Hollywood. (323) 957-1152.