What’s Happening: Celebrate Israel Fest, Lag B’omer

FRI MAY 17

Musical Shabbat
Music and Shabbat go hand in hand at Adat Ari El for “N’ranena,” an upbeat evening featuring an unbroken thread of melodies. Musical participation is encouraged. While the synagogue provides the challah, guests are invited to bring a vegetarian or dairy dinner and a dessert that can be shared with families. A meal may be purchased in advance. 6-8:30 p.m. $10 per purchased meal. Adat Ari El,12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 766-9426.

SAT MAY 18

“Inherited Memories”
The recent rise of white nationalism, anti-Semitism and hate crimes prompted three Los Angeles artists, all daughters of Holocaust survivors, to come together for “Inherited Memories,” a group show opening Saturday evening. Shula Singer Arbel, Dwora Fried and Malka Nedivi confront viewers at the Castelli Art Space with the power of their memories, transformed into pictures. 6-9 p.m. opening reception. On the show’s final day, May 26, “Artists Talk,” a panel of all three artists, moderated by curator Peter Frank, will be held from 3-5 p.m. Castelli Art Space, 5428 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 204-6830.

“Come to the Cabaret”
Mere mention of the term “cabaret” evokes memories of a long-gone era in Europe, and so it is when Adat Chaverim, Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, holds “Come to the Cabaret, My Friend,” in Sherman Oaks. The band Crinoline heads the lineup of entertainers along with Heather Herington and Avi Gross performing the musical “Meshuganeh.” The evening includes a duet by Maya Day and Herington, among other acts. 5 p.m. $18 (plus an optional $10 for parking next door at the Congregational Church of the Chimes). The Aloha Room, Horace Heidt Estates, 14155 Magnolia Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (888) 552-4552.

SUN MAY 19

“Getting Into the God Zone”
Rabbi Tsvi Bar-David, founder of Qirvah, a multifaith community in Berkeley celebrating sacred ecstatic music and food, leads a two-hour workshop on sacred ecstatic music at Mishkon Tephilo. He calls it “Getting Into the God Zone.” Bar-David said this is done most effectively in a group setting and applies to a community praying together. Participants are encouraged to bring instruments. 2-4 p.m. Free. Mishkon Tephilo Social Hall,
206 Main St., Venice. (310) 392-3029.

Celebrate Israel Festival
Approximately 15,000 community members — the largest gathering of Jews anywhere in Los Angeles — go to Rancho Park for a day of solidarity at the annual Celebrate Israel Festival, commemorating 71 years of Jewish statehood. Presented by the Israeli American Council (IAC) and sponsored by Debbie and Naty Saidoff, the festival leads off with a 1-mile walk that begins an hour before the day’s official opening. Kosher food and rides galore are always popular, along with interactive activities and cultural attractions, including art. Main stage entertainment runs all day. Headliners are Israeli megastar Lior Narkis, Israeli children’s performers Dod Haim and Naama Super Al, and the dance group Re-Vital of Israel. 11 a.m. walk. Noon-7 p.m. festival. $15, $20 in advance, $30 at the door. Rancho Park, 2551 Motor Ave. (213) 254-3162.

“Barrio Boychik” Cemetary Tour
More than 150 years ago, before Abraham Lincoln became president, the Home of Peace Cemetery, the oldest Jewish burial ground in Los Angeles, was founded near the current site of Dodger Stadium. Moved to its present location in 1901, this is where Shmuel Gonzales, the “Barrio Boychik,” opens his East Los Angeles tour of the original Jewish community. Besides the pioneer burial grounds and the Byzantine/Moorish-style chapel and mausoleum, the tour stops at the tombs of famous Hollywood names, including the Warners of Warner Bros., Louis B. Mayer of MGM, and Curly and Shemp Howard of the Three Stooges. Gonzales talks about crypto Jews, Sephardic Jews and Russian Subbotnik converts to Judaism. Noon-3 p.m. Meet at front gates at 11:45 a.m. $25. Home of Peace Memorial Park, 4334 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 902-6953.

Leonard Bernstein Concert
Six cantors and a chamber orchestra at Wilshire Boulevard Temple perform some of the most memorable compositions of the late composer Leonard Bernstein. “A Celebration of Beautiful Sound” features selections from his Broadway musicals, including “West Side Story,” “Candide,” “On the Town,” “Peter Pan” and “Wonderful Town.” Jamie Bernstein, the composer’s daughter and author of “Famous Father Girl,” narrates the program. 4 p.m. $18. Wilshire Boulevard Temple sanctuary, 3663 Wilshire Blvd. , Los Angeles, (213) 388-2401.

“Waltz with Bashir”
The Sephardic Temple’s latest Sunday afternoon movie, the Oscar-nominated, animated and autobiographical 2008 film “Waltz With Bashir,” portrays a former Israeli infantry soldier’s attempt to reconstruct what happened to him in September 1982 during Israel’s invasion of Lebanon. Filmmaker Ari Folman, who was 19 at the time of the conflict, interviews fellow veterans, hoping their recollections are clearer than his of the event. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free. RSVP. Sephardic Temple, 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 475-7000.

Newt Gingrich
Looking ahead to the 2020 election, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich addresses the Nessah Synagogue community about “Donald Trump, the Most Pro-Israel President Ever.” The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) and the Nessah Educational and Cultural Center organized the evening. 6:30 p.m. registration. 7 p.m. program. Free for RJC and synagogue members. $18 for all others (secure.rjchq.org). RSVP required. Nessah Synagogue, 142 S. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 478-0752.

Elan Carr
Elan Carr, the recently appointed U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism, speaks with Stephen Wise Temple Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback about “The Rise of Global Anti-Semitism: How We Can Respond.” Carr, who has long been a public figure in the communal pushback against Jew-hatred, analyzes how Jews should fight the current increase in worldwide anti-Semitism. 7 p.m. Free. Stephen Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 476-8561.

TUE MAY 21

“Jewish Life in Boyle Heights”
Through video interviews, six women remember what Jewish life in Boyle Heights was like in the 1930s and ’40s. The six participants in the video are on hand to relive those moments in the Studio City Branch Library program “Jewish Life in Boyle Heights: An Oral History, Video Screening & Discussion.” Even though the high-profile Jewish dimension of Boyle Heights vanished shortly afterward, the women remember school days, family life and former businesses. 6 p.m. Free. Studio City Branch Library, 12511 Moorpark St., Studio City. (818) 755-7873.

The Future of Israel Engagement 
A panel of three journalists appears at Stephen Wise Temple with moderator Rob Eshman, former editor-in-chief of the Jewish Journal, to discuss “The Future of Israel Engagement.” Co-organized by the Israel Policy Forum, the Anti-Defamation League and 30 Years After, the evening is part of a national dialogue, “Across the Divide.” Batya Ungar-Sargon, opinion editor of the Forward; Yair Rosenberg, senior writer for Tablet magazine, and Tabby Refael, Jewish Journal contributing writer and co-founder of 30 Years After, are the panelists. Stephen Wise Temple Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback contributes remarks. 7 p.m. Free. Stephen Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 476-8561.

“Celebration of Jewish Songwriters”
Temple Akiba convenes a pianist, an actress and a journalist for “A Celebration of Jewish Songwriters.” Christina Linhardt is an actress and director who performs at the Magic Castle; Bryan Pezzone is a pianist at home with classical compositions, contemporary music, jazz and even experimental genres; and Paul Zollo was the longtime editor of SongTalk magazine. 6:30 p.m. doors open. 7 p.m. program. Refreshments. $18 suggested donation. Temple Akiba, 5249 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. (310) 398-5783.

“Clouds of Glory” Lecture 
The Clouds of Glory became famous in the Torah for protecting the Jewish
people while they were fleeing Egypt, and now a scholar visits UCLA to lecture on “Clouds of Glory: Vanishings and Returns.” London-born Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg, who made aliyah 50 years ago, is an author and holds a visiting lectureship at the London School of Jewish Studies. 6 p.m. dinner. 7:30 p.m. Dinner and lecture, $40. Lecture
only, $15. UCLA Hillel, 574 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, (310) 208-3081, ext. 108.

WED MAY 22

Lag B’omer Beach Bonfire
Grab your acoustic guitar, bongo drum, tambourine, blankets and coats for Pico Shul’s Lag B’omer bonfire and beach picnic. Kick back with a drink (no glass bottles) and enjoy the sunset with friends old and new. 6:30-10 p.m. Free. Bring money for parking. Dockweiler Beach Campground, 12001 Vista del Mar, Playa Del Rey, (424) 777-0999. Exact location to be posted on event’s Facebook page on the afternoon of May 22. 

Lag B’omer Concert and Lecture 
Orthodox Rabbi Mimi Feigelson and local rock group Moshav headline Happy Minyan’s lively Lag B’omer festivities. The evening includes live music, intimate classes, a poolside bonfire, catering from Schnitzly and schmoozing under the stars. 7-10 p.m. $26. Address of private Beverlywood home provided before event.

THU MAY 23 

Frank London: Unplugged
Frank London, one of the brilliant, unconventional musical minds behind the Klezmatics, appears at UCLA. A well-known breaker of musical barriers, the Grammy Award-
winning London produces an eclectic concert with the UCLA Jazz Orchestra and Combo and the UCLA Klezmer Ensemble. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Schoenberg Music Building, Room 1343, 445 Chareles E. Young Drive W, Los Angeles, (310) 825-4761.

Have an event coming up? Send your information two weeks prior to the event to ryant@jewishjournal.com for consideration. For groups staging an event that requires an RSVP, please submit details about the event the week before the RSVP deadline.