Brooke Burke and Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue Cantor Marcelo Gindlin share the stage during “Hand in Hand,” the synagogue’s April 3 concert fundraiser for children with special needs held at a Malibu home. Photo by Dana Fineman
Jazz composer, cellist and pianist Fred Katz performed during a retrospective of his career at the Skirball Cultural Center on Feb. 20. Honored on the occasion of his 92nd birthday, Katz was joined by his son, flutist Hyman Katz, bassist Richard Simon and saxophonist Dave Koz, as well as the Flying Pisanos, John and Jeanne Pisano.
Dr. Gerald Picus and former L.A. City Councilwoman Joy Picus celebrated the gala opening of the $125 million Valley Performing Arts Center on Jan. 29. The two-hour star-studded event at California State University, Northridge, drew Valley performers, including Jane Kaczmarek, Noah Wyle, Nancy Cartwright, Dave Koz and Cheech Marin, as well as 1,700 guests.
The Jewish Family Service (JFS) Family Violence Project raised funds and awareness on Jan. 27 during its second annual Empowerment Celebration, which honors the birthday of Abby J. Leibman, co-founder of the California Women’s Law Center and newly named CEO of MAZON, and the memory of Nina C. Leibman, who was murdered by her husband in 1995 just after a court order had gone into effect to force him to move out of her home. At the event, JFS recognized former state Sen. Sheila J. Kuehl for her decades of work to help victims of domestic violence.
Matisyahu performed in front of nearly 1,000 people during a concert at Shomrei Torah Synagogue in West Hills on Jan. 16.
Topping the marquee names at the gala for the USC Shoah Foundation Institute were founder Steven Spielberg.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.