Woody Allen’s “To Rome With Love” opens the festival, which features nearly 200 films, shorts and music videos. \”Coffee Talks\” and other conversation events include writer-producer Aaron Sorkin (“The Newsroom”), actor Jason Isaacs (the “Harry Potter” films), award-winning composer Danny Elfman and director Lawrence Kasdan (“Darling Companion”).
Celebrating his 50th birthday and 30 years in comedy, the acclaimed actor-comedian (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) appears in person to perform an evening of stand-up. Tribe favorite Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt (“Ratatouille,” “King of Queens”), Bob Odenkirk (“Breaking Bad”), Bill Burr and others join Garlin. Expect irreverent, wacky and Jewy humor. Proceeds benefit The Littlest Tumor Foundation. Fri. 9 p.m. $40 (online only). Largo at the Coronet, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 855-0350.
Days after the election that brings Hitler to power, a Jewish couple — an acclaimed physicist and his unfaithful wife — contemplate whether to seek an unknown future outside of Germany or stay put in Berlin. Written by playwright Iddo Netanyahu, brother of Israel’s prime minister, directed by Ami Dayan, and featuring award-winning actor Bruce Davison, this staged reading is the play’s West Coast premiere. Part of the California International Theatre Festival. The Museum of Tolerance hosts an additional performance on May 21. Sat. 8 p.m. Free (first come, first served). Founder’s Hall, 100 Civic Center Way, Calabasas. (818) 783-3576. citfestival.org.
Journal president and columnist David Suissa debates Peter Beinart, author of the controversial book, “The Crisis of Zionism,” about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Temple Israel of Hollywood’s Rabbi John Rosove moderates the discussion on the lack of progress in peace talks — Beinart acknowledges acts of violence on the Palestinians’ part but faults Israeli policies; Suissa ascribes blame to the Palestinian Authority’s use of incitement against Jews. Wed. 7 p.m. Free. Temple Israel of Hollywood, 7300 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 876-8330. tioh.org
Volunteers are needed to participate at community service projects, including gardening, feeding animals and painting at the Shalom Institute in Malibu; feeding the homeless at Venice Beach; a picnic for Israeli-Americans with cancer and their families at Woodley Park; a creek cleanup in Compton; and a tour at the Museum of Tolerance with members of the Substance Abuse Foundation of Long Beach.
Of the more than 25 dramas, documentaries, comedies and shorts at 13 venues from Pasadena to Beverly Hills, highlights at the seventh annual festival include tonight’s star-studded celebration and gala reception with a premiere viewing of documentary “Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom”; Penelope Ann Miller, co-star of “The Artist,” hosting a viewing of the Michael Curtiz silent classic “The Moon of Israel” (May 6); “Wunderkinder,” the Holocaust drama from the producers of “Europa Europa” (May 5-6); the Los Angeles premiere of “Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story” (May 9), with Consul General of Israel David Siegel and Israeli government officials attending; and “Dorfman,” the closing-night film by director Bradley Leung and writer Wendy Kout, starring Elliott Gould (May 10). A program of The Jewish Journal. Thu. Through May 10. Various times. $40 (opening gala), $6-$12 (films), $12-$15 (closing night). Various locations. (800) 838-3006. lajfilmfest.org.
Spend Earth Day connecting wilderness, spiritual practice and Judaism on a TorahTrek hike intended for fit and active adults seeking awe-inspiring wilderness adventures.
The author of the irreverent “Go the F**k to Sleep,” which wittily captured the irritation felt by parents who have children who become difficult at bedtime, appears at ALOUD, supporting the release of his new book, “Seriously, Just Go to Sleep.” A dramatic reading and conversation centered on the kid-friendly version of his comic bestseller features actor Jenna Elfman (“Dharma and Greg”) and the book’s illustrator, Ricardo Cortés. Author Attica Locke (“Black Water Rising”) moderates. Thu. 7 p.m. Free. Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., downtown. (213) 228-7025. lfla.org
Actor-comedian Jeff Garlin (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), who played studio executive Mort Meyers on “Arrested Development,” welcomes series creator and executive producer Mitch Hurwitz to the “Jeff Garlin in Conversation With …” series at the Largo. With a new season of “Arrested Development” slated to air on Netflix in 2013, followed by a feature film, you can bet questions will fly about the Bluth dysfunctional family reunion.
After pleading guilty in an Indian lobbying scandal, powerful GOP lobbyist Abramoff spent more than three years in federal prison for tax evasion, mail fraud and conspiring to bribe lawmakers. Join Robert Wexler, president of American Jewish University, for a discussion with Abramoff, author of “Capitol Punishment:
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