Calendar picks and clicks: Feb. 2–Feb. 11, 2011

THU | FEB 3

(“100 Voices: A Journey Home”)
Director’s Danny Gold and Matthew Asner’s musical documentary traces the loss and resurgence of Jewish culture in Poland, the birthplace of cantorial music. The film follows the recent travels of a group of cantors and acclaimed composer Charles Fox to Poland, where they perform in Warsaw in Europe’s largest concert hall, join a Jewish festival in Krakow and pray at Auschwitz, a tribute to the 1,300 cantors who died in the Holocaust. After tonight’s screening, Gold, Asner, Cantor Nathan Lam and the film’s producer, Michael Lam, participate in a panel discussion. Jewish Journal columnist David Suissa moderates. Thu. 7:30 p.m. $12. Laemmle’s Town Center 5, 17200 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (800) 838-3006. lajfilmfest.org.

(“Let’s Eat”)
Foodies unite as Judy Zeidler (“Italy Cooks”) hosts a kosher gourmet dinner with four fellow cookbook writers, including Sheryll Bellman (“America’s Great Delis”), Roberta Kalechofsky (“The Vegetarian Shabbat Cookbook”), Paula Shoyer (“The Kosher Baker”) and Clara Silverstein (“A White House Garden Cookbook”), who share their personal stories and recipes. Thu. 7 p.m. $45 (includes dinner). Whizin Center for Continuing Education, American Jewish University. (310) 476-9777. ajula.edu.

(“Our Heritage, Our Health”)
Valley Beth Shalom synagogue presents a discussion about Jewish genetic diseases with genetics counselor Gary Frohlich and Wayne Grody, a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine. Terri Getzug, a UCLA School of Medicine professor, moderates. Thu. 7 p.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 530-4056. vbs.org.

(“In Search of Hillel: Ethics as Judaism’s Essence”)
Rabbi Hillel (110 B.C.E.-10 C.E.) has a lot to teach contemporary Jews about ethical behavior, according to Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of, “Hillel: If Not Now, When?” Telushkin appears in conversation with Rabbi David Wolpe at Sinai Temple. A book signing follows. Thu. 7:30 p.m. $15 (members), $20 (general), both prices include copy of Telushkin’s book. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 481-3243. sinaitemple.org.

SAT | FEB 5

“Roy Lichtenstein: In Process”
The Weisman Museum’s new exhibition features 60 works by the pop art innovator, famous for adopting the look of comic books and cartoons in his paintings. Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how Lichtenstein developed his ideas — from sketches and drawings to collages and the finished product. Sat. Through April 3. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. (310) 506-4851. arts.pepperdine.edu.

Michael Feinstein
The Grammy-winning artist known as the “Ambassador of the American Songbook” brings his acclaimed voice and passion for popular standards to Walt Disney Concert Hall. Sat. 8 p.m. $45.75-$116. 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com.

SUN | FEB 6

“A Tribute to the Children of the Kindertransports”
Artist Gabriella Karin, a child survivor of the Holocaust, unveils her new exhibition: a ceramic train sculpture featuring photographs of children rescued during the Kindertransport. Michele Gold, a child of a Kindertransport survivor, helped Karin collect materials for the project. Sun. 1-3 p.m. (exhibition opening). Free. Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, 100 S. The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 651-3704. lamoth.org.
 
“Leaving the Fold,” “Circumcise Me”
CSUN Jewish Studies presents two documentaries that examine people coping with faith. Five young adults try to lead secular lives away from their Chasidic families in “Leaving the Fold,” a 2008 documentary, while “Circumcise Me” (2007) tells the story of Yisrael Campbell, a stand-up comedian and the son of an ex-nun, who converted to Judaism three times, exploring Reform and Conservative Judaism before becoming Orthodox. A Q-and-A with Jewish Studies faculty follows. Sun. 10 a.m. Free (two ticket maximum, RSVP required). Laemmle’s Fallbrook Theatre, 6731 Fallbrook Ave., West Hills. (818) 677-4724. csun.edu/jewish.studies.
 
World Wide Wrap 11
Kick off Super Bowl with a mitzvah. The Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs brings the global Jewish community together to learn about and practice laying tefillin. Check with local Conservative congregations for time and location. worldwidewrap.org.

 
MON | FEB 7

“Subversive Sequels in the Bible”
Author and Torah scholar Judy Klitsner discusses her 2009 book, which establishes connections between seemingly unrelated biblical narratives, showing how they echo but also undermine each other in the nuances of the texts. Tonight, she focuses on the stories of Jonah and Noah. A book signing follows. Mon. 7:30 p.m. $20. American Jewish University, 15600 Mullholland Drive, Los Angeles,  (310) 440-1246. ajula.edu.

TUE | FEB 8

“Is There a Conservative Assault on the Supreme Court?”
Erwin Chemerinsky, founding dean at the U.C. Irvine School of Law, joins John Eastman, Kennedy chair in law at Chapman University, for a discussion moderated by Los Angeles Times editor-at-large Jim Newton. Tue. 7 p.m. Free. Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., downtown. (213) 228-7025. lfla.org.

 
THU | FEB 10

Leon Wieseltier
The New Republic’s literary editor delivers the 2011 Daniel Pearl Memorial Lecture, “Peace Process or War Process? The Defeat of Reason in the Middle East.” Wieseltier’s extensive resume includes “Kaddish,” a 2000 National Book Award finalist, and service on the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq. Thu. 6 p.m. Free. Korn Convocation Hall, UCLA Anderson School of Management, 110 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles. (310) 206-6365. international.ucla.edu.
 
“Race to Nowhere”
Shalhevet high school hosts a screening of director Vicki Abeles’ documentary, which explores pressures faced by youth and teachers today amid dropping test scores,  and the expectations of parents, universities, school districts and society at large. A Q-and-A with Shalhevet dean Roy Danovitch and school counselor Rachel Hecht follows. Thu. 7:30 p.m. $10 (advance), $15 (door). Laemmle Music Hall, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (925) 310-4242. racetonowhere.com.

 
FRI | FEB 11

“The Violet Hour”
It’s 1919, and independent publisher John Pace Seavering has only enough money to release one book. He must choose between the manuscript his college friend has written and memoirs by a popular jazz singer, who is also his mistress. Darin Anthony directs Richard Greenberg’s 2003 dramedy. Fri. Through March 13. 8 p.m. $20-$30. Lillian Theatre, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 960-1054. plays411.net.