SAT | MAY 15
(ART)
Arik Levy, an Israeli artist, surfer and philosopher, in his new exhibition, “Luminescence,” transforms high-concept industrial design and fluorescent lighting into sculpture. The exhibition includes three installations. Sat. Through Aug. 21. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (closed Sun., Mon. and holidays). Free. Santa Monica Museum of Art, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 586-6488. smmoa.org.
(FOOD)
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Celiac Disease Foundation holds its annual Education Conference and Food Faire. More than 50 vendors offer samples of gluten-free food — not to mention, gluten-free beer! Sat. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. $140. Los Angeles Marriot Downtown, 333 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. (818) 990-2354. celiac.org.
(THEATER)
An American Jewish retiree is caught in a web of espionage in the L.A. premiere of “A Word of Secrecy,” a comedy by Allan Havis based on real events at a New Jersey senior center. Stars Ed Asner, Alexandra More and Alan Oppenheimer. Sat. 7:30 p.m. Sun. 2 p.m. $16 (members), $18 (general). JCC at Milken, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills (Saturday). Westside JCC, 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles (Sunday). (818) 464-3300. jccatmilken.org. (323) 938-2351, ext. 225. westsidejcc.org.
SUN | MAY 16
(MUSIC)
Faith-based folk singer Debbie Friedman, who in March released “As You Go on Your Way: Shacharit — The Morning Prayers,” honors Reform congregation Kol Ami’s 18th anniversary with a concert performance. Sun. 7 p.m. $45-$75. Various prices for VIP tickets and sponsorship packages. House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (323) 606-0996. debbiefriedman.com.
(FOOD)
Enjoy kosher food vendors, Krav Maga demonstrations, live music, kids’ activities and more at the Santa Clarita Valley Jewish Food Festival. Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $5 (adults), free (12 and younger). Bridgeport Marketplace, 23975 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia. bridgeportmarketplace.com.
(ISRAEL)
“Israeli-Palestinian Peace Negotiation by the People” features two days of debate, discussion and negotiation among five Israelis and five Palestinians. Presented by the grass-roots organization Minds of Peace, in conjunction with UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services, the participants hope to reach a model peace agreement by the close of the sessions. Sun. 1-9:30 p.m., Mon. 4:30-9:30 p.m. Free. John Wooden Center West, 221 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles. (310) 721-1955. mindsofpeace.org.
(LECTURE)
Philip Bohlman, an ethnomusicologist at the University of Chicago, lectures on “Jewish Music and Modernity.” In 2008, Bohlman published a book by the same name, contributing to the discourse on the role of music in shaping cultures and collective identity. Sun. 2-4 p.m. Free. UCLA Schoenberg Hall, Room 1325, 445 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles. (310) 825-4761. schoolofmusic.ucla.edu.
TUE | MAY 18
(MUSIC)
Grammy-winning violinist Joshua Bell leads a lineup of musicians handpicked by Carl St. Clair, a conductor and USC music professor celebrating 20 years with the Pacific Symphony. Bell performs Mendelssohn’s “Violin Concerto.” Tue. 8 p.m. $29-$129. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. (714) 755-5799. pacificsymphony.org.
THU | MAY 20
(BOOKS)
Best-selling religion writer Bruce Feiler (“Walking the Bible”) lectures on and signs his new book, “The Council of Dads,” which follows his bout with cancer and his attempt to find six men who might help raise and give advice to his young daughters should the disease take his life. Thu. 7:30 p.m. Free. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.
(COMEDY)
Irreverent comedian Sarah Silverman, who recently released the memoir, “The Bedwetter: Stories of Redemption, Courage and Pee,” performs with friends. Thu. 8:30 p.m. $25. Largo at the Coronet, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 855-0350. largo-la.com.
(THEATER)
“There Is an Elephant in This Dance,” a new production by Lionel Popkin, an L.A. dance artist with a Jewish and South Asian heritage, explores Hindu iconography via the furry and oversized elephant heads worn by a quartet of performers. Thu. Through Sun. 8:30 p.m. (Thu. through Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sun.). $16 (students), $20 (general). Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater, 631 W. Second St., Los Angeles. (213) 237-2800. redcat.org.
