The Calendar Girls: Picks, kicks and plugs

SAT | FEBRUARY 2

(THEATER)
” target=”_blank”>http://www.chancetheater.com.

(DOCUMENTARY)
You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and maybe that’s also true of this movie’s title: “Farewell Israel: Bush, Iran and the Revolt of Islam.” The documentary highlights Islam’s susceptibility to Western influence and its trials with Jews and the State of Israel. Told from a Muslim viewpoint, the documentary suggests Western misunderstanding of Islam will incite a disastrous war — devastating to the modern world and most of all, to Israel. 7:30 p.m. $7. Congregation Shaarei Tefila, 7269 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 938-7147. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.theatre40.org.

SUN | FEBRUARY 3

(ENTERTAINMENT)
The Foundation for Jewish Education invites you to partake in their “Yiddish English Variety Night.” No, that does not mean you have to get up on stage and belt out an old folk song. It means you get to enjoy an evening of laughter and entertainment, delicious desserts and hors d’oeuvres and pleasant company. 7:30 p.m. $50 (tax-deductible donation). Beverly Hills residence. R.S.V.P. for exact address, (310) 273-8612 or info@tfjeinc.org.

(THEATER)
The 1924 Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb thrill-killing of a Chicago teenage boy is garnering lots of attention in the Los Angeles theater scene with the recent opening of “Thrill Me” at the Hudson Backstage Theatre. Now the Blank Theatre Company is staging “Dickie and Babe: The Truth About Leopold and Loeb.” Writer and director Daniel Henning did research for two years before creating this riveting documentary play based on trial transcripts, medical reports and newly discovered primary source materials. Sun., 2 p.m.; Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m. $22. 2nd Stage Theatre, 6500 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. (866) 811-4111. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’ alt=’Pick’>
You’ve heard of Rabbi Hillel; Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life; and a Hillel sandwich. But what about Hillel the Balloon Man? Mysterious Argentine-born entertainer Hillel Gitter describes himself as a magician, actor, mime and clown, and he brings his balloon tricks to the Magic Castle for a tantalizing live performance. Be warned, this Academy of Magical Arts requires an elegant dress code, and the only way in to “The Palace of Mystery” is through Mr. Balloon Man himself. Once admitted, magic-seekers have the option of five different shows in three showrooms. 21 and over. Through Feb. 10. $20-$25. The Magic Castle, Academy of Magical Arts, 7001 Franklin Ave., Hollywood. For guest passes, visit ” target=”_blank”>http://www.uclahillel.org.

TUE | FEBRUARY 5

(DIALOGUE)
Even for an accomplished writer like David Rieff, writing about the death of one’s mother is with difficult — especially when your mother happens to be Susan Sontag, who was one of New York’s leading intellectuals before her death from leukemia in 2004. In “Swimming in a Sea of Death: A Son’s Memoir,” Rieff writes, “This is a book of questions about what we know and, perhaps more importantly, what we can take in when confronted by the death of a loved one.” He’ll appear at ALOUD with L.A. Times columnist Tim Rutten. 7 p.m. Free. Central Library Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles. Reservations required. (213) 228-7025. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.rjchq.org/events.asp.

WED | FEBRUARY 6

(STORYTELLING)
” target=”_blank”>http://www.levantinecenter.org/pages/land_twice_promised.html.

(HEALTH)
What modern girl-in-the-know isn’t familiar with “Sex and the City”? At Women’s Health Day, naturopathic physician Brett Jacques will speak about something a little different, “Stress in the City.” A variety of speakers will discuss an array of contemporary health issues for women. 8:15 a.m.-3 p.m. $50- $60 (includes breakfast, lunch and two passes to the Skirball Cultural Center). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 276-0036.