The Israel Conference highlights technological innovation in the Jewish state. Guest speakers include Yosi Matias, managing director of Google Israel research and development center, and Moshe Lichtman, head of Israel research and development for Microsoft. Thu. 7:30 a.m-9:30 p.m. $240 (advance), $295 (door). Luxe Hotel, 11461 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 476-6571. theisraelconference.org.
“Jewish Life on Campus: Where to Find It and How to Be a Part of It” educates high school juniors, seniors and their parents about Jewish opportunities in universities, while cautioning against the anti-Israel rhetoric in some schools, citing the recent events at UC Irvine. Rabbi Nicole Guzik of Sinai Temple moderates a panel with members of Hillel at UCLA, StandWithUs, the Conservative Jewish student organization KOACH and the Greek System. Wed. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Hillel at UCLA, 574 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 481-3246. standwithus.com.
Armed with visitor badges, about 30 members of the Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA) and the Alliance for Healthy and Responsible Grocery Stores ambushed City Hall a couple of weeks ago. The strategy on that day, May 4, was to make unannounced visits to the offices of all 15 City Council members to ensure that a proposed grocery reinvestment ordinance is on the radar of council members.
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.
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.
Ben Morris beamed with pride as he stood back and watched his fellow volunteers paint a mural for the Los Angeles Ministry Project’s playground in South Los Angeles during Big Sunday, a weekend-long Southland charity event that took place May 1-2.
Sibling writers Nora and Delia Ephron’s “Love, Loss and What I Wore” opens for a nearly two-month L.A. run at the Geffen Playhouse. A rotating cast of actresses — including Rita Wilson, Carol Kane and Natasha Lyonne — stars in vignettes based on the book by Ilene Beckerman. Thu. Through June 4. 8 p.m. (Thursday opening), Various times (Rest of dates). $69-$74. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 208-5454. geffenplayhouse.com.
JConnectLA, a grass-roots organization that holds events for Jewish students and young professionals, has launched the Festival Torah Project.
Ring Festival L.A.’s “On Wings of Song: The Music and Soul of Felix Mendelssohn” celebrates the bicentennial of German Jewish composer Felix Mendelssohn’s birth with a lecture on his life by pianist and professor Neal Brostoff. A staged reading of scenes from writer Jacqueline Bassan’s “Mendelssohn! On Wings of Song” follows, examining the rivalry fueled by religious differences between Mendelssohn and composer Richard Wagner. Brostoff, mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin and L.A. Philharmonic violinist Mark Kashper and cellist Barry Gold perform select works by Mendelssohn. Rabbi Edward Feinstein leads Shabbat services. Fri. 8 p.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000. vbs.org.