Calendar Picks and Clicks: Sept. 21 – Oct. 1, 2010

TUE | SEPT 21

(DISCUSSION)
A live videoconference with 98-year-old journalist and author Ruth Gruber, whose photographs of the Exodus 1947 garnered attention worldwide, precedes a screening of “Ahead of Time,” a documentary tracing Gruber’s career. Tue. 7 p.m. $10. Museum of Tolerance, 9786 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 772-2505. museumoftolerance.com.

(BOOKS)
“The Brady Bunch” creator Sherwood Schwartz and his son, writer-producer Lloyd Schwartz, share behind-the-scenes stories from one of America’s most beloved television series and sign copies of their new book, “Brady, Brady, Brady: The Complete Story of The Brady Bunch as Told by the Father/Son Team Who Really Know.” Tue. 7 p.m. Barnes and Noble at the Grove, 189 Grove Drive, L.A. (323) 525-0270. barnesandnoble.com.

(LECTURE)
Ben Stein — presidential speechwriter, Wall Street Journal columnist, game-show host and actor (“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”) — delivers the Reagan Forum address. Tue. 6 p.m. $45. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. (805) 577-4000. reaganfoundation.org/cpa.

FRI | SEPT 24

(SHABBAT)
Congregation Beth Shir Shalom holds a Sukkot-inspired petting zoo and bring-your-own picnic-style dinner followed by a family Shabbat in the synagogue’s sukkah. Fri. 5 p.m. Free. Beth Shir Sholom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 829-2517, (310) 453-3361. bethshirsholom.org.

Learn to salsa, compete in a basketball free-throw competition, play baseball or take part in a Torah trek in Placerita Canyon during Temple Ahavat Shalom’s Move Your Body, Move Your Soul Synaplex. Organizers also ask attendees to bring a can of food to donate to SOVA before you shake the lulav and etrog. Fri. 5:45-10 p.m. Free, $5 (dinner). Temple Ahavat Shalom, 18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge. (818) 360-2258. tasnorthridge.org.

SAT | SEPT 25

(SINGLES)
Celebrate Sukkot, observe Havdalah, and mingle during a wine tasting as Temple Beth Am, Temple Emanuel and Kehillat Israel co-sponsor Singles in the Sukkah, an event for singles in their 40s and 50s. Sat. 7:30-10 p.m. $10 (advance), $15 (door). Temple Beth Am Sukkah, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7354. tbala.org/singles.

(YOUNG PROFESSIONALS)
Be ready with a $25 buy-in if you want in on Valley Ruach’s Poker Tournament in the Sukkah. This low-stakes, no-limit Texas Hold ’Em tournament — organized by Adat Ari El’s young professional’s organization — features professional dealers, tables and prizes (including a flat-panel HDTV). If poker isn’t your thing, $8 gets you into the Losers Lounge, which features an open bar and free food. Ages 21 to 39 only. Sat. 8 p.m. Adat Ari El Sukkah, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 766-9426. valleyruach.org.

(THEATER)
Relive the life and legacy of Harvey Milk in Patricia Loughrey’s “Dear Harvey,” a play inspired by the personal writings of California’s first openly gay public official and first-person interviews with those who knew him. Sat. Through Oct. 10. 8 p.m. $20 (general), $10 (student, military). Lee Strasberg Theatre, 7936 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. (323) 960-7782. dearharveyla.com.

SUN | SEPT 26

(EXHIBITION)
Croatian President Ivo Josipovic delivers the keynote address at the opening of “Croatian Righteous Among the Nations,” a photographic exhibition that honors non-Jewish Croatians who risked their lives to save Jews from the Nazi puppet Ustasha regime. UCLA chancellor Gene Block, UCLA history department chair David Myers and Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, executive director of UCLA Hillel, also share their thoughts during the opening at The Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts at UCLA Hillel. The exhibition, cosponsored by the UCLA Center for Jewish Studies, is dedicated to the 240th anniversary of Count Franjo Patacic’s report on the permanent settlement of Jews in Croatia and the 170th anniversary of the Croatian-Hungarian parliament’s approval of permanent Jewish settlement in their country. Sun., 4-6 p.m. (opening reception). Through Dec. 10. Free. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Hillel at UCLA, 574 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles. RSVP required. (310) 208-3081. uclahillel.org.

(BOOKS)
The ninth annual West Hollywood Book Fair features more than 300 authors, experts, performers and artists, including special guests Sarah Silverman (“The Bedwetter”) and Aimee Bender (“The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake”). Catch panels, performances, writer workshops and storytelling, and visit more than 130 exhibitors — from bookstores and small presses to literary organizations and libraries. Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood. (323) 848-6515. westhollywoodbookfair.org.

(FAMILY)
“Sid the Science Kid” Day at the California Science Center celebrates the Oct. 4 return of the award-winning PBS KIDS series. The Jim Henson Co./KCET co-production introduces preschoolers to the basics of science through Sid, the 4-year-old child of a Jewish father and African American mother, who longs to be a scientist. In addition to exploring the museum’s interactive learning centers and exhibitions, families get a sneak peek at the upcoming episode “Sid’s Super Kick.” Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 724-3623. californiasciencecenter.org.

(BOOKS)
Congregation Beth Shalom hosts A Sukkot to Remember, a book fair, featuring authors Sarah Lynn (“Tip Tap Pop”), Betsy Rosenthal (“It’s not Worth Making a Tzimmes Over!”), Jean Blasiar (“Emma Budd and the Hijacked Train”) and J.D. Squires (“The Gingerbread Cowboy”), whose readership ranges from preschoolers to young adults. The event also includes a barbecue, bouncies and a used book sale. Attendees are encouraged to bring used books to donate to Books for People. Sun. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Free (nominal fee for barbecue and bouncies). Congregation Beth Shalom, 21430 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita. (661) 254-2411. cbs-scv.org.

(SIMCHA FAIR)
For families planning a bar or bat mitzvah, shop and sample the services of dozens of vendors, from party planners and caterers to photographers and entertainers. Sun. Noon-3 p.m. Free. Automobile Driving Museum, 610 Lairport St., El Segundo. (310) 701-8815. automobiledrivingmuseum.org.

(DISCUSSION)
Progressive Jewish Alliance and IKAR turn their focus to a different kind of harvest during Sukkot. Eaters and activists join together under the sukkah to explore food justice, worker’s rights and equality issues during Harvesting Justice, a potluck and dialogue event. Bring a vegetarian dish, enough for 12 servings, along with serving utensils. Sun. 4-7 p.m. Free. Silverlake Independent Jewish Community Center, 1110 Bates Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 761-8350. pjalliance.org.

(FAMILY)
Enjoy a Sukkot Family Celebration at the Skirball Cultural Center, featuring Israeli folk dancing, live music, an array of fresh veggies from South Central Farmer and a sukkah designed by the L.A. firm wHY Architecture using repurposed materials. Sun. 4:30 p.m. Free. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. RSVP recommended. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

(DISCUSSION)
Conservative radio host and writer Michael Medved moderates a discussion on “Securing America’s Future” for the Jewish Policy Center. Panelists include David Horowitz, founder of the David Horowitz Freedom Center; Cliff May, president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies; and Mona Charen, a syndicated columnist, author and political analyst. Sun. 7:30 p.m. Free. Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. RSVP required. (323) 655-4900. jewishpolicycenter.org.

MON | SEPT 27

(YOUNG PROFESSIONALS)
Watch Monday night football from the “booth” during ATID’s Sukkot Sports Night. Mon. 6 p.m. $10 (advance, members), $15 (advance, general), $20 (door). Sinai Temple Sukkah, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 475-1618. sinaitemple.org.

(CHARITY)
Mel Brooks takes the stage with BBC creative director Alan Yentob (director of “I Thought I Was Taller — A Short History of Mel Brooks”) to discuss his life and career, and answer audience questions during a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. A VIP reception follows. Mon. 7:30 p.m. $100 (mezzanine), $125 (orchestra), $250 (VIP). Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 342-5800. lls.org/los/melbrooks.

TUE | SEPT 28

(LECTURE)
Elliot Dorff, rector and Sol & Anne Dorff Distinguished Service Professor of Philosophy at American Jewish University, speaks on “Are the ‘Chosen People’ Held to a Higher Ethical Standard?” during a continental breakfast for University Women’s Membership Day. Tue. 9:45 a.m. Free (members), $18 (general). American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-1283. ajula.edu.

(DISCUSSION)
Author and political analyst Graham E. Fuller; Rabbi Reuven Firestone, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion professor of Medieval Jewish and Islamic studies; and Maher Hathout, a senior adviser to the Muslim Public Affairs Council, discuss “A World Without Islam?” as part of ALOUD at Central Library’s Interfaith Series. Tue. 7 p.m. Free. Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles. (213) 228-7500. lfla.org.

(THEATER)
Jason Alexander, artistic director of Reprise Theatre Company, stars with Stephanie J. Block in Neil Simon’s musical comedy “They’re Playing Our Song,” based on the real-life love affair between the show’s composer, Marvin Hamlisch, and its lyricist, Carole Bayer-Sager. Tue. 8 p.m. (opening night). Through Oct. 10. $66.75-$82.50. Tue.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 and 8 p.m., Sun. 2 and 7 p.m. Ralph Freud Playhouse, UCLA Campus, Los Angeles. (310) 825-2101. reprise.org.

(FILM)
Writer-director Michael Tolkin appears in person for a discussion between screenings of his films “The Player” and “The Rapture.” Moderated by screenwriter Larry Karaszewski. Fri. 7:30 p.m. $7 (members), $11 (general). American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 260-1528. americancinematheque.com.

FRI | OCT 1

(FILM)
James Franco stars as Allen Ginsberg in “Howl,” a biopic that weaves together the beat poet’s early life in New York City, the 1957 San Francisco obscenity trial that followed publication of his book “Howl and Other Poems,” and an animated interpretation of the poem, considered Ginsberg’s seminal work. Fri. Laemmle Sunset 5, Playhouse 7, Town Center 5 and Monica 4-Plex. laemmle.com.

(MUSIC)
Kick off the new season at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with pianist Yana Reznik, who joins the Los Angeles Philharmonic for a kid-friendly, musical-theater-style performance that explores the work of Mozart, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and more. Fri. 7:30 p.m. Free. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com.

(THEATER)
Traveling through Israel and the Palestinian territories during the Jewish state’s 50th anniversary, a 50-year-old writer meets people of all backgrounds and political beliefs in “Via Dolorosa,” an autobiographical play by David Hare that emphasizes the similarities between Jews and Arabs. The Southern California Jewish Repertory Theatre presents the West Coast premiere of the play, which won Hare a Drama Desk Award. Fri. Through Nov. 7. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. $25 (general), $20 (students, seniors). The Missing Piece Theatre, 2811 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. (818) 563-1100. themissingpiecetheatre.com.