7 Days In Arts

Saturday, Oct. 20

The Jews of Poland have endured countless attacks
against their culture, ranging from the hostility of the Poles to the aggression
of the Germans. Born in 1877, Yiddish songwriter and poet Mordecai Gebirtik,
captured the emotions and culture these trying time in Poland’s Jewish
community. Tonight, vocalist Fay Abramowitz sings and interprets his songs. A
lecture about Gebirtik by Lillian Majzner will follow the performance. Free
(members); $4 (guests). 8 p.m. Los Angeles Yiddish Culture Club, 8339 W. Third
St., Los Angeles. For more information, call (310) 454-3687.

Sunday, Oct. 21

What if the world had a chance to put Adolf Hitler on
trial? Author David Charnay explores this imaginary scenario, chronicling
survivor testimonies in his fictional work, “Operation Lucifer: The Chase,
Capture and Trial of Adolf Hitler.” (Squire General Ltd.; $36) Book I portrays
Barton Q. Milburn, hot on the public enemy’s trail. Book II describes the
feigned trial and explores the extent to which the claws of Nazism can possibly
reach. Today, Charnay will discuss the book and sign copies at The Jewish
Federation’s Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust. 3 p.m. 6006 Wilshire Blvd.,
Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 761-8170.

Monday, Oct. 22

In May 1948, a nation was born — and its name was
Israel. Tonight, experience the birth of the Jewish State with the film “In
Search of Peace Part One: 1948-1967”, chronicling the first 20 years of Israel’s
history, replete with the budding conflicts with the Palestinians, told from the
viewpoint of various people in original clips. Academy Award-winner Michael
Douglas narrates this account with help from actors Anne Bancroft, Ed Asner,
Miriam Margolyes and Richard Dreyfuss. $8.50 (general admission). 5:15 p.m.
Laemmle’s Monica, 1332 Second St., Santa Monica. For more information, call
(213) 534-3600.

Tuesday, Oct. 23

The Finegood Gallery of the Bernard Milken Jewish
Community Campus is featuring the works of artists Dorothy Conlon, Oren Cooper,
Elaine Archer, Marshall Turner, Dean Klivans, Morgan Alexandra Kari, Marvin
Teplitz and Judy Kaufman. “Watercolor, Collage and Sculpture” exhibits a
diverse, multimedia array of works from each artist. Gallery hours: Mon.-Thurs.,
10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Through Nov. 25.
22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. For more information, call (818) 464-3200.

Wednesday, Oct. 24

Students in America’s classrooms come from a variety of
races and creeds, but their lessons only seem to consist of Western literature.
Today, the Anti-Defamation League explores the topic of literature education in
schools in “America’s Culture War — Whose Classics Are Taught in Our Public
Schools?” as part of the Third Annual Ralph Tornberg Lecture Series. Among the
panelists are Los Angeles Times writer, Tim Rutten; Susan Kent, city librarian
of the Los Angeles Public Library; and Carol Jago, director of the California
Reading and Literature Project. $20 (one lecture and a cocktail reception); $70
(complete series). 7:30 p.m. Wyndham Bel Age Hotel, 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd.,
West Hollywood. For reservations or more information, call (310) 446-8000.

Thursday, Oct. 25

Louise Steinman is one of a generation of children born
amid post-war mirth who couldn’t really they she understood what there parents
endured during WWII. In “The Souvenir: A Daughter Discovers Her Father’s War,”
the author relates her fervor for exploring the world in which her father, a
member of the 25th Infantry Division, lived. His 400 letters written when he was
stationed in the Philippines in 1945, serve as the basis for her hunt and
gradual trip to Hiroshima. Tonight, Steinman will discuss her poignant journey
and sign copies of her book as part of the Los Angeles Public Library’s “Hot Off
the Press” program. 7 p.m. 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles. For reservations or
more information, call (213) 228-7025.

Friday, Oct. 26

Now, more than ever, we need education about various
world faiths because racism is only going to hinder our fighting the war against
terrorism. For this reason, Cornerstone Theater’s Festival of Faith, offers
one-act plays about the issues the connect people of different faiths and
religions. “Branches” tells how different religions connect through their
stories about trees; “Mass Transit” portrays a family on their Sunday morning
car ride to church; “On Earth As It Is In Heaven” exhibits four characters’
spiritual journey; and “The Hill Country” discusses feelings about faith. Fri.,
Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 27, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 28, 3
p.m. Los Angeles Baha’i Center, 5755 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles. For tickets or
more information, call (213) 613-1740 or visit www.cornerstonetheater.org.