A couple of months ago in the Journal, a story headlined “The Many Facets of the Sephardic Spirit” featured a cover photograph with an array of hamsa necklaces. It got me thinking. As the hamsa is one of the most popular motifs in jewelry, I wanted to figure out an easy tutorial for hamsa pendants so kids of all ages could have fun making their own. I’m not much of a jewelry maker, which meant metal and wire were out. But clay, that I could work with. The result — these colorful hamsas that work not only as pendants, but refrigerator magnets, zipper pulls or even rear-view mirror ornaments. You’ll definitely want to try your hand at making them.
What you’ll need:
Air-dry clay
Parchment paper
Rolling pin
Hamsa cookie cutter
Pencil
Craft rhinestones (optional)
String or yarn
1.
1. My air-dry clay of choice is Crayola Model Magic, which is available at crafts stores like Michaels. It’s actually not really a clay, but a nontoxic modeling compound similar in feel to Play Doh. Unlike Play Doh, however, it dries nicely in 24 hours without cracking or crumbling.
2.
2. Place a small fistful of clay between two sheets of parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, roll the clay flat to about a quarter-inch thickness.
3.
3. Cut out the hamsa shape with a hamsa cookie cutter. I bought mine on Amazon. If you don’t want to buy a cookie cutter, you can also cut out the shape freehand using a butter knife.
4.
4. Using the point of a pencil, poke a hole in the clay for the necklace. I positioned my hole at the top so that the fingers would point up. If you want the fingers to point down, place the hole at the bottom.
5.
5. To decorate the hamsa, roll some clay between your palms and stretch it to create a thin ribbon. Or, roll tiny amounts between your fingers to make little dots. Apply these details to the hamsa, pressing gently to adhere the clay.
6.
6. For some bling, press craft rhinestones firmly into the clay. They’ll set right in there. If they happen to fall off when the clay is dry, just glue them back on.
7.
7. You can also make a “tie-dye” design by mixing different colors of clay before flattening them with the rolling pin. The hamsa will need minimal decoration because the clay is colorful enough already.
8.
8. When the clay has dried for 24 hours, it will be very lightweight and feel a bit like foam. I love that it’s not hard like regular clay. Run some yarn or string through the hole, and you’re styling!
Jonathan Fong is the author of “Flowers That Wow” and “Parties That Wow,” and host of “Style With a Smile” on YouTube. You can see more of his do-it-yourself projects at jonathanfongstyle.com.
Harvey Weinstein will turn himself in to the police on May 25 as he faces charges of sexual assault, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Weinstein’s anticipated surrender to authorities comes as the Manhattan District Attorney’s office is expected to hit Weinstein with criminal charges. One of the charges is reportedly believed to center on actress Lucia Evans, who has claimed that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him in 2004 at his Manhattan office. New York authorities have been advocating for a warrant to arrest Weinstein for his alleged assault on Evans as well as Paz de la Huerta, who has accused Weinstein of raping her twice.
In addition to the New York authorities, police in Los Angeles and London are investigating multiple allegations against the Hollywood mogul. There is also a chance that there could be a federal investigation against Weinstein on the issue of travelling “across state lines for the purpose of committing a sex crime.”
Weinstein has been accused by more than 90 women of either rape, sexual assault or harassment since October 2017, the start of the #MeToo movement. Weinstein has denied all the allegations against him, saying all relations were consensual.
In the 1960s and early-1970s, folk-rockers Simon and Garfunkel harmonized on hit after hit, including “The Boxer,” “Mrs. Robinson” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Paul Simon was half of the legendary duo and, after they disbanded, became an accomplished solo artist in his own right. He performs his career-spanning repertoire of timeless hits and classic songs at the Hollywood Bowl as part of his “Homeward Bound — The Farewell Tour.” 8 p.m. $39-$250. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com.
WED MAY 30
“BENNY GOODMAN: AHEAD OF HIS TIME”
Legendary bandleader Benny Goodman’s music comes back to life thanks to acclaimed clarinet soloist Ken Peplowski. The member of Goodman’s final ensemble performs music from Goodman’s famous 1938 Carnegie Hall concert, which elevated jazz and sparked serious conversations about race, politics and music. The UCLA Jazz Orchestra and an alumni ensemble from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz accompany Peplowski in this celebration of a musical revolutionary and the King of Swing. A pre-concert panel discussion begins at 6 p.m. Concert 7-10 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 825-4761. RSVP at schoolofmusic.ucla.edu.
SAT JUNE 2
“THE SOUL OF RICHARD RODGERS”
Tony-winning performer Billy Porter, who depicted drag queen Lola in the Broadway musical “Kinky Boots,” offers a fresh take on composer Richard Rodgers’ classics, from “My Funny Valentine” to “Edelweiss.” The live concert draws on Porter’s 2017 album, “Billy Porter Presents: The Soul of Richard Rodgers.” 8 p.m. $38-$98. The Soraya Valley Center for the Performing Arts, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. (818) 677-8800. thesoraya.org/calendar/details/billyporter.
THU JUNE 7
TASTE OF ISRAEL
Foodies and Israel lovers unite at the self-described “biggest culinary event for Israel in the United States,” showcasing Israeli wines and cuisine from celebrity Israeli chef Eyal Shani; acclaimed chef and TV star Meir Adoni; local modern Israeli restaurant Jaffa and more. Certified kosher menu. Proceeds benefit Larger than Life, which serves Israeli children with cancer. Black-tie optional. 7-11 p.m. General admission $360. The tax-deductible ticket includes unlimited food from 20 gourmet chefs and 20 of Israel’s finest wineries. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. tasteofisraella.com.
FRI JUNE 8
ROBBY KRIEGER
The Doors guitarist Robby Krieger celebrates 50 years of his iconic L.A. rock-and-roll band’s music. Krieger, raised in a Jewish family in California, co-wrote many of the Doors’ most famous songs, including “Light My Fire,” “Love Me Two Times” and “Love Her Madly.” Opening sets by Ricky Montijo & the Mojitos and Watcher Moon. 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. music, 9 p.m. headliner. $38-$58. The Canyon Agoura Hills, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills. (888) 645-5006. wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com.
TUE JUNE 12
PHOTOGRAPHER MARK SELIGER
From behind the camera, Jewish photographer Mark Seliger of Amarillo, Texas, has captured a variety of subjects, from Jennifer Lawrence to Holocaust survivors, the Dalai Lama to Kurt Cobain. The former chief photographer at Rolling Stone magazine appears in discussion with writer, producer and director Judd Apatow about “Mark Seliger Photographs,” a coffee table book featuring his best-known portraiture. 8 p.m. $30 reserved, $20 general admission, $75 reserved and copy of “Mark Seliger Photographs.” Ann and Jerry Moss Theatre, New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica. livetalksla.org/events/mark-seliger.
WED JUNE 13
MICHAEL CHABON
A few days before Father’s Day, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon (“The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay”) discusses his latest book, “Pops: Fatherhood in Pieces,” with former Los Angeles Times book editor David Ulin. Chabon’s collection of essays on parenting draws on his experience minding his 13-year-old son at Paris Men’s Fashion Week in 2016. A book signing follows the program, which is organized by Book Soup. 8 p.m. $20 plus tax and fees, includes admission and one book. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.
FRI JUNE 15
GAD ELMALEH
The hardest working Moroccan-Jewish stand-up comedian in the business performs five shows in three nights at the Irvine Improv. Gad Elmaleh started his career performing in small shows for the Montreal Sephardic community and rose to prominence in France after relocating to Paris in the 1990s. His sights are set on winning over American audiences with an observational comedic sensibility similar to that of Jerry Seinfeld. 18 and older. June 15: 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.; June 16: 7 and 9:30 p.m.; June 17: 7 p.m. $25. Irvine Improv, 527 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine. (949) 854-5455. irvine.improv.com.
“EATING ANIMALS”
Jonathan Safan Foer’s 2009 nonfiction book of the same name inspired this documentary about the farming industry, opening in theaters today. Narrated by Oscar-winning actor and co-producer Natalie Portman, “Eating Animals” traces the history of food production in the United States, argues for a shift from factory farming to plant-based technologies and follows farmers who have pushed back against industrial agriculture by adopting humane practices. ifcfilms.com/films/eating-animals.
SUN JUNE 17
“UNDER THE JELLO MOLD”
In her award-winning one-woman show, “Under the Jello Mold,” actress Jennie Fahn embarks on a humorous and heartfelt exploration of her relationship with her late mother. Fahn’s comedy examines how she dealt with her mother, a former dancer who was never content to merely rehash her past, during what turned out to be the final act of her mother’s life. Fahn tells her story in anecdotes, characters and song. Through Aug. 26. 5 p.m. $30. The Pico, 10508 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (800) 838-3006. underthejellomold.com.
TUE JULY 10
BERNSTEIN 100 CELEBRATION WITH DUDAMEL
In celebration of the centennial of the birth of America maestro Leonard Bernstein, Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel, vocalist Kristin Chenoweth and the L.A. Philharmonic, among others, perform some of Bernstein’s most beloved music. Blending jazz and classical music, the program includes selections from “West Side Story,” “Three Meditations from Mass” and “Big Stuff.” 8 p.m. $8-$104. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com.
SAT JULY 21
“SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM”
A musical revue featuring the songs of the award-winning Broadway and film composer Stephen Sondheim charts Sondheim’s career up to 1976. The production includes music from “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “A Little Night Music,” “Follies” and more. Visit the website for show times. $32-$37. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West Los Angeles. (310) 477-2055, ext. 2. odysseytheatre.com.
SUN AUG 12
RANDY NEWMAN
Songsmith Randy Newman’s catalog includes the classic tunes “Short People,” “I Love L.A.” and “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” Tonight at the Hollywood Bowl, the legendary songwriter performs songs from each of his 11 studio albums, featuring accompaniment by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and his own band. 7:30 p.m. $14-$70. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com.
Alvin Adelman died April 8 at 82. Survived by wife Sylvia; daughter Jill Bergman. Mount Sinai
Rona A. Adler died April 19 at 90. Survived by nieces Lisa (Victor) Kohn, Toba Schwartz. Mount Sinai
Barbara Ames died April 20 at 88. Survived by sons Brad, Paul Garrett; 4 grandchildren. Hillside
Barbara Berci died April 23 at 75. Survived by husband George; daughters Liza Landsman Gold, Kitty DeFevere; sons Scott Landsman, Winton (Chery); son-in-law Matthew Gold; 4 grandchildren; brother Mark Weisfeld. Mount Sinai
Gloria Brodie died April 16 at 93. Survived by daughters Betty (Ross) Winn, Karen Feinstein-Michiels; 4 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren. Hillside
Rochelle Davis died April 21 at 81. Survived by husband Harvey; sons Gregg (Beth), Marc; 4 grandchildren. Hillside
Charles Edelsohn died April 19 at 91. Survived by wife Debby; son David. Hillside
Hilda Eisen died Nov. 22 at 100. Survived by daughters Frances Miller, Ruth, Mary Cramer; 8 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren. Chevra Kadisha
Ernest Feld died April 22 at 93. Survived by wife Ruth; daughter Lynn (Rock) McAlister; son Bruce; 2 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren. Hillside
Paul Feldman died April 14 at 91. Survived by daughter Suzanne (Brian) Greenberg; sons Jonathan (Jaci), Daniel (Shan), Joseph (Jennifer); 7 grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Grace W. Frank died April 17 at 87. Survived by husband Melvin; daughter Karen (Mark) Kandel; son Dana (Donna); 6 grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Eugene Howard Galen died April 16 at 84. Survived by wife Suzanne; sons Douglas Marc (Jodi), Steven Scot; 6 grandchildren. Mount Sinai
LaVerne Gluck died April 21 at 96. Survived by son Wayne Provisor; 7 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister Evelyn Gladstone. Hillside
Bernice “Teedee” Greenstein died April 17 at 84. Survived by husband Carl; daughter Davina Greenstein-Anderson; sons Steven (Deanna), Barry (Joanne); 3 grandchildren; sister Ruth Banarer. Mount Sinai
Rachel Hollander died April 22 at 91. Survived by son Jacob. Mount Sinai
Ann Kagen died April 19 at 90. Survived by daughter Joyce (Richard) Protco; son Michael (Patricia); 5 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren. Hillside
Richard Kaplan died April 17 at 79. Survived by daughter Hilary (Bret) Fausett; son David (Andrea); 4 grandchildren; sisters Judy House, Joan Stern. Mount Sinai
Beatrice Ruth Karno died April 17 at 89. Survived by daughters Randee (Martin) Leffler, Vicki (Mark Cassidy); son Mark; 3 grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Barbara Ann Lopaty died April 13 at 83. Survived by husband Kenneth; daughters Susan Pechman, Ellyne Warsaw; son Keith (Judie); 10 grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Arlene Mednick died April 16 at 75. Survived by husband Jeffrey; daughters Erin Rosen, Cynthia, Lauren (Ray) Crosby; stepdaughter Lissa (Mike) Solomon; son Kevin Rosen; 5 grandchildren. Hillside
Francine Pflug died April 20 at 84. Survived by daughters Lisa (Avery) St. Clair-Simmons, Stephanie (John) Curry; son Paul (Tami); brother-in-law Howard (Marcia). Mount Sinai
Leonard Portnoy died April 18 at 92. Survived by wife Diane; sons Mark (Rachel), David; 3 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren. Hillside
Lenore Betty Rostow died April 17 at 87. Survived by daughters Catherine, Patricia Wiburg; 3 grandchildren; brothers Larry (Elaine) Kritzer, Marc (Deborah) Kritzer. Mount Sinai
Alvin Rinkov died April 21 at 77. Survived by sons Jeff (Dorlee), Stephen (Cory); 4 grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Charles Edward Salovesh died April 20 at 82. Survived by wife Dorothy Lippman-Salovesh; daughter Lisa (Alan) Stern; 3 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Sally Tetef Schneider died April 15 at age 83. Survived by son Herbert Tetef; daughters Cathy Davies, Merry Tetef; stepdaughters Carol, Susie, Elisa Kleven; 3 grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; brother Charles (Louise) Silverberg. Mount Sinai
Paula Sheinwold died April 16 at 98. Survived by daughter Jean Revere; son Richard (Donna) Mann; 4 grandchildren. Hillside
Simon Wagmaister died April 17 at 93. Survived by wife Zunilda; daughters Sylvia, Eva; son Claudio (Esther); brothers Fernando, Samuel; 3 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren. Hillside
Maurice Wilson died April 3 at 83. Survived by wife Mildred; daughters Davida (Jack), Cindy (Ilan); son Eric; 4 grandchildren; sisters Fern, Betsy (Mike), Sylvia. Chevra Kadisha
Harlene Zemming died April 14 at 80. Survived by husband Sherwin “Steve”; daughter Laurie; sons Jerry (Jill), Marty (Roseanne); 4 grandchildren; sisters Myrna Myers, Barbara Cooper; brother Louis Cooper. Mount Sinai
Arkady and Ella Serebryannik andMark Bregman discuss “What We Learned on Our Reconstructionist Study Tour of Israel” with University Synagogue Rabbi Arnold Rachlis. The Orange County residents met with Israeli leaders, gained insights into the state of the government as Israel turned 70 years old and observed the secular-religious divide in Israel. Interview and Shabbat services 7–8:30 p.m. University Synagogue, 3400 Michelson Drive, Irvine. (949) 553-3535. universitysynagogue.org.
“A JEWISH-MUSLIM PARTNERSHIP FOR SHABBAT AND IFTAR”
Temple Judea congregants, their Muslim guests from the Pacific Institute and Claremont School of Theology professor Philip Clayton celebrate Shabbat and iftar, the meal that breaks the fast during Ramadan. The celebration continues on Saturday morning with a conversation on how to improve the world through understanding and knowledge. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Friday night, adults $20, with accompanying children free. Saturday morning free. RSVP required for both sessions. Temple Judea, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. (818) 758-3800. templejudea.com.
“THE LAST SCHWARTZ”
“The Last Schwartz.”
Judaism appears to be all that the dysfunctional Schwartz family members have in common in this play, but it isn’t clear whether it will unite or further divide them. Herb Schwartz and his wife, Bonnie, remain childless after five miscarriages while Gene’s girlfriend is planning an abortion. Norma’s husband has not spoken to her since she called the cops on their son for smoking pot. Their father has died, nobody is in charge and the Schwartz family appears to be foundering. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays. Through July 1. $40. $35 for groups of 10 or more. $25 for students and teachers. Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main St., Santa Monica. (310) 392-0815. wcjt.org.
“THE CHOSEN”
This acclaimed stage adaptation celebrates the 50th anniversary of Chaim Potok’s classic 1967 novel, “The Chosen.” Set in Brooklyn in 1944, this coming-of-age story follows two observant Jewish boys who come from very different homes. When Reuven is injured by Danny during a heated baseball game, a unique friendship is born. As the boys grow to manhood, they are forced to learn important lessons about each other, their fathers and themselves. The resolution is highly emotional. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. $40. $30 for seniors. Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 663-1525. fountaintheatre.com.
SAT MAY 26
“NETANYAHU: A POLITICAL LIFE”
Rabbi Tal Sessler.
In the fifth and final presentation in Sephardic Temple Rabbi Tal Sessler’s monthly series, “Shabbat Lunch and Learn: Great Israeli Lives,” his subject is “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: A Political Life in Progress.” Previously, Sessler spoke on “David Ben-Gurion: Statesman, Founding Father, Universal Genius,” “Menachem Begin: Survivor, Fighter Hawkish Peacemaker,” “Yitzhak Rabin: Soldier, Peacemaker, Political Martyr” and “Shimon Peres: Poet, Worldly Statesman, Pragmatic Dreamer.” After 8:30 a.m. Shabbat morning services. Free. Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel, 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 475-7000. sephardictemple.org.
SUN MAY 27
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR TALK
Henry Slucki.
Holocaust survivor Henry Slucki, a native of Paris who came to the United States by himself as a boy, recounts the frightening experiences he and his family suffered while moving around to elude the Nazis. When the Slucki family reached Barcelona, Spain, his Polish-Jewish parents made the painful decision to send him by himself to America as part of first lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s initiative to save refugee children. After the war, Slucki moved to Los Angeles, where he grew up to be a professor of behavioral science. A Q-and-A follows
the discussion. A docent-led tour kicks off the day at 2 p.m. Discussion 3 p.m. Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, 100 S. The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 651-3704. lamoth.org.
“ISRAELI MUSIC, THEN AND NOW”
Declaring that changes in Israeli musical tastes the past 70 years reflect the transforming nature of Israeli society, Mark Kligman, the Mickey Katz Endowed Chair in Jewish Music at UCLA, traces the evolution of the Israeli music since statehood was won in 1948. Kligman, who is also a professor of ethnomusicology at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, enhances his talk with audio and visual samples intended to accent Israel’s shifting musical preferences. Dinner, 6 p.m., program, 6:45 p.m. $15. Temple Ramat Zion, 17655 Devonshire St., Northridge. (818) 360-1881. trz.org.
TUE MAY 29
“THE MIRACLE-WORKING EARLY PROPHETS AND THE JEWISH
SOCIAL CONSCIENCE”
Join Rabbi Rachel Adler at Beth Chayim Chadashim (BCC) for a deep dive into the Elijah and Elisha narratives in the two books of Kings to examine questions of charisma, characterization and social ethics. Participants look at the role gender plays in these narratives and why women are often the recipients of miracles. Adler is the Ellenson Professor of Modern
Jewish Thought at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. Part of a series. Adler’s notes will be posted on the BCC website. 7–9 p.m. Free. Beth Chayim Chadashim, 6090 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 931-7023. bcc-la-org.
WED MAY 30
“BENNY GOODMAN: AHEAD OF HIS TIME”
Legendary bandleader Benny Goodman’s music comes back to life thanks to acclaimed clarinet soloist Ken Peplowski. The member of Goodman’s final ensemble performs music from Goodman’s famous 1938 Carnegie Hall concert, which elevated jazz and sparked serious conversations about race, politics and music. The UCLA Jazz Orchestra and an alumni ensemble from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz accompany Peplowski in this celebration of a musical revolutionary and the King of Swing. A pre-concert panel discussion begins at 6 p.m. Concert 7–10 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 825-4761. RSVP at schoolofmusic.ucla.edu.
THU MAY 31
NEWGROUND IFTAR
Join NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change for the organization’s annual iftar, the meal eaten by Muslims after sunset during Ramadan. NewGround describes this evening as one of the largest gatherings of Muslims and Jews in the United States. The night celebrates, supports and amplifies the work of NewGround’s 2017-18 Professional Fellows, a group of approximately 20 Jews and Muslims who have spent the past several months discussing anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Dinner is Halal certified. Kosher meals available upon request. Food will not be served until after 8 p.m., as this is an event that celebrates the month of Ramadan. Plan accordingly. Program begins at 7 p.m. $40. Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 3663 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. newground.nationbuilder.com.
“HARVEY MILK” BOOK AUTHOR
Harvey Milk.
To commemorate the American Library Association’s LGBT Book Month, and in conjunction with National Gay Pride Month, the Burbank Public Library welcomes Lillian Faderman to talk about her new book, “Harvey Milk: His Lives and Death.” The book explores how the progressive politician and gay icon’s activism connected to his family history and Jewish identity. 7 p.m. Free; book available for purchase and signing. Buena Vista Branch Library, 300 N. Buena Vista St., Burbank. (818) 238-5620. burbank.lib.ca.us.
“WHITE ELEPHANT ARCHIVE, SETTING NO. 3”
Award-winning multimedia artist Eduard Freudmann presents a personal, one-man production focusing on the legacy of the Holocaust from the perspective of a third-generation descendant living in Austria. In an effort to understand his family members’ silence about their Holocaust experiences, Freudmann turns to his family archive, which includes poems written by his grandfather while imprisoned in concentration camps. Freudmann’s performance conveys the impact of trauma across generations. A Q-and-A follows the performance, which is made possible by the Austrian Consulate General Los Angeles, the Future Fund of the Republic of Austria and the Federal Chancellery of Austria. 7 p.m. $15, members and full-time students, $20 general. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.
“ISRAEL AT 70: LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING AHEAD”
Professor Dan Ben-David, president and founder of the Shoresh Institution and senior faculty member of the Department of Public Policy at Tel Aviv University, discusses Israel’s history and future. In 2010, Israeli newspaper Haaretz included Ben-David on a list of the country’s 100 most influential people. 7 p.m. registration, 7:30 p.m. lecture. Free; donations accepted. Seating limited; RSVPs urged at info@beverlyhillsjc.org. Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 276-4246. beverlyhillsjc.org.
HAVE A DATE WITH A JEW AND A MUSLIM
Enjoy iftar, the meal eaten by Muslims after sunset during Ramadan, and conversation between Rabbi Adam Kligfeld and Haroon Moghul. Kligfeld is senior rabbi at Temple Beth Am. Moghul is the Fellow in Jewish-Muslim relations at Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. 7:15 p.m., break the fast at 7:55 p.m. RSVP by May 28 at tbala.org/iftar. Presented by the Rembaum Institute and the Shalom Hartman Institute. $15. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7353. tbala.org.
The Israeli-American Council’s (IAC) annual Celebrate Israel festival, this year commemorating Israel’s 70th birthday, was held on May 6 at Rancho Park in West Los Angeles.
The event drew more than 18,000 attendees.
“This weekend in Los Angeles, the IAC made history, with the single largest celebration of Israel’s landmark 70th birthday outside of the Jewish State,” IAC Board Member Naty Saidoff said in a statement. “We were inspired to join more than 18,000 people in a powerful display of love, pride and support for the Jewish State and all that it represents.”
Saidoff and his wife, Debbie, were the main sponsors of the event, subsidizing admission to the festival.
The daylong gathering kicked off in the morning with a 1-mile Israel solidarity march organized by the pro-Israel group StandWithUs. Participants marched from Rancho Park to the Simon Wiesenthal Center and then returned to the park.
High-profile supporters of Israel turned out, including Sheldon and Miriam Adelson, who have helped to drive the growth of the IAC, and Haim Saban.
Also at the festival, the Taglit Innovation Center held a special interactive exhibition titled “70 Years of Zionism, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.”
Highlights included a performance by the Israeli pop duo Static and Ben-El, Liraz Russo and Ben-El Tavori.
The IAC held Celebrate Israel festivals in cities across the United States.
IAC CEO Shoham Nicolet said he hoped the enthusiasm people showed for Israel during the Celebrate Israel festival continued throughout the year.
“Israel is a miracle and a gift we should be celebrating every day, not just once a year,” Nicolet said. “The festivals across the nation are bringing to life our vision of Israeli-Americans, who serve as a living bridge between Israel and the Jewish-American and pro-Israel communities here in the United States.”
From left: Justin, Michael, Caroline and Gabrielle Hackman attend The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles’ annual Real Estate and Construction (REC) Division dinner, which honored Michael Hackman, founder and CEO of Hackman Capital Partners. Photo by Howard Pasamanick Photography.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles held its annual Real Estate and Construction Division dinner on May 9 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
The dinner honored Michael Hackman, founder and CEO of Hackman Capital Partners, for his leadership and contributions to Federation and the Jewish community. The dinner brought together more than 1,500 professionals and community members and raised more than $3 million for Federation.
Hackman Capital Partners is a privately held real estate investment and operating company that focuses on commercial and industrial properties in major U.S. markets.
Jay Sanderson, president and CEO of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, said the organization’s Real Estate and Construction Division plays a part in Federation’s success.
“The leaders of our Federation’s Real Estate and Construction Division are incredible partners, helping achieve and make a reality the important work of the Federation on a daily basis,” he said. “We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the real estate group and the community at large.”
Attorney Richard Pachulski presented the award to Hackman, who made remarks to the audience.
“It was a wonderful evening for the real estate industry and those who are leading the way in support of the Jewish Federation,” Hackman said. “I would like to thank all those who invest in our future, help the most vulnerable, and support our community. I am humbled by the outpouring of support and fun that was had at this record-setting event, and would like to thank all of the sponsors, donors and attendees for stepping up in such a big way.”
The evening began with a cocktail hour, followed by an a cappella performance by the Pellas, a Jewish ensemble. Following the dinner, many guests attended the after-party.
Bryan Berkett,Brent Iloulian, David Chasin and Reuben Robin co-chaired the event. Jonathan Klein, chair of Federation’s Real Estate and Construction division, also spoke.
According to the Federation website, the Federation’s Real Estate and Construction Division professionals meet regularly to network, discuss trends in the industry and conduct philanthropic work.
A delegation of interfaith leaders from Azerbaijan visited with Jewish Journal Publisher and Editor-in-Chief David Suissa (fifth from left) on May 14. Photo by Farid Babayev.
An interfaith delegation from Azerbaijan visited the Jewish Journal office on May 14.
During the visit, Consul General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles Nasimi Aghayev discussed with Journal Publisher and Editor-in-Chief David Suissa the Jewish community of Azerbaijan and the former Soviet country’s positive relationship with Israel.
Azerbaijan is Israel’s largest supplier of oil and a major purchaser of Israeli defense technology.
Appearing along with eight Azerbaijani leaders, Aghayev said his country is a place where Jews, Muslim and Christians peacefully coexist.
The delegation members were Mubariz Gurbanli, chairman of the state committee for work with religious organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Milikh Yevdayev, president of the religious community of the Mountain Jews of Azerbaijan; Aleksandr Sharovskiy, president of the religious community of European Jews of Azerbaijan; Yevgeniy Brenneysen, vice president of the religious community of European Jews of Azerbaijan; Fuad Nurullayev, deputy chairman of the Caucasian Muslims’ office; Robert Mobili, president of the Albanian-Udi Christian religious community of Azerbaijan; Elnur Afandiyev, archpriest of the Russian Orthodox church; and Nijat Mammadli, head of the foreign relations section of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
That evening, the Azerbaijanis participated in an event at Sinai Temple titled “Multifaith Harmony Without Conflict,” which drew 300 attendees.
From left: Beverly Hills City Councilmember Robert Wunderlich, Sharona Nazarian, Beverly Hills City Councilmember Lili Bosse, Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles Sam Grundwerg, Beverly Hills Mayor Julian Gold, Vice Mayor John Mirisch, Councilmember Lester Friedman and Gina Raphael attend a Yom HaAtzmaut celebration in Beverly Hills. Photo courtesy of Sharona Nazarian.
A May 9 event celebrating Israel’s 70th birthday drew more than 200 guests to the Peninsula hotel in Beverly Hills.
Sharona Nazarian and Gina Raphael chaired the invitation-only gathering.
Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles Sam Grundwerg attended along with half of his consul, as well as all members of the Beverly Hills City Council, including Mayor Julian Gold, Beverly Hills Vice Mayor John Mirisch and Beverly Hills City Council member Lili Bosse.
The event featured a video presentation along with Mike Burstyn serving as the emcee. Hedva Emrani, who started his career in the late-1960s as part of the famous duo Hedva and David, was the special guest performer.
The event recognized the relationship between Beverly Hills and Herzliya, Israel, with the official signing of the sister-city agreement between the two cities.
The guests, city council members and Grundwerg stood together and sang “Jerusalem of Gold.”
From left: Judy Flesh, holding Charlotte Flesh; Martha Berkett; Helen Sassover and Holocaust survivor Hedy Orden attend a Yom Hashoah gathering at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services. Photo courtesy of Columbus and Company.
An April 22 Yom Hashoah ceremony gathered together Holocaust survivor Hedy Orden, 30 members of her family, residents of Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, and supporters and participants of Vista Del Mar’s Jewish Life Programs.
During the event, held at Vista Del Mar’s Los Angeles campus, the Orden family passed the Memorial Scroll Torah — on permanent loan to Vista Del Mar from the Memorial Scrolls Trust in London— down the line until it came to Orden.
The scroll featured a new Torah cover designed by artist Wendy Peretz that honored Orden, her late husband, Ted, and their family. The cover acknowledged the Ordens’ support for Vista Del Mar’s Jewish Life Programs, which provide individualized religious education programming, bar and bat mitzvah tutoring, and inclusive High Holy Days services to children with autism and other special needs.
Attendees included Vista Del Mar Board Chair Laurie Konheim and Executive Vice Chair Marla Kantor.
Still working on your summer-reading list? Here are just a few forthcoming books of Jewish interest that you may want to look out for.
“Famous Father Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up Bernstein” by Jamie Bernstein (Harper)
In this centennial year of Leonard Bernstein’s birth — and a year in which Jewish American Heritage Month (May) has spotlighted Jewish contributions to American music — this memoir by the eminent composer/conductor’s eldest daughter is likely to hold wide appeal. (Consider reading it before Aug. 25, when Lenny would have celebrated his 100th birthday.)
“Gershom Scholem: Master of the Kabbalah” by David Biale (Yale University Press)
I’m a fan of the “Jewish Lives” biography series, so this new entry caught my attention. Biale’s book will acquaint readers with Scholem (1897-1982), whom the Press describes as “the seminal twentieth-century historian and thinker who pioneered the study of Jewish mysticism and profoundly influenced the Zionist movement.”
“The Lost Family” by Jenna Blum (Harper)
The Holocaust suffused Blum’s first novel — the best-selling book-club favorite “Those Who Save Us”; the cataclysm’s lasting effects hover over this one, too. Here, readers will encounter a New York chef who also happens to be an Auschwitz survivor. And they’ll meet the family he builds in New York while he continues to grieve those whom he lost in Europe.
“A Terrible Country” by Keith Gessen (Viking)
Perhaps your interest in this novel, like mine, has been piqued already by a recent excerpt in The New Yorker. Perhaps you have yet to learn anything about protagonist Andrei Kaplan — a Jewish, Moscow-born American 30-something (who shares certain biographical similarities with author Gessen). Regardless, the tale of family and politics that unfolds as Andrei returns to his native Russia — now Putin’s Russia — to care for his ailing grandmother, may well be one you’ll want to spend some quality summertime with.
“The Strange Case of Dr. Couney: How a Mysterious European Showman Saved Thousands of American Babies” by Dawn Raffel (Blue Rider)
Born in 1869 as Michael Cohn in Krotoschin, Prussia (now Poland), “Dr. Martin Arthur Couney” saved thousands of premature American infants by placing them in incubators in sideshows and hiring skilled nurses to care for them (he funded treatment by charging the public admission). By 1937, he was also signing affidavits to help rescue Jews from Europe. Significantly, his hometown was known as the site of a famous publisher of the Jerusalem Talmud. Through Raffel’s account, readers may well come to see his story as an atypical but worthy embodiment of Sanhedrin 4:5: If one saves a single life, it is as if one has saved the whole world.
“Historical Atlas of Hasidism” by Marcin Wodzinski (Princeton University Press)
Want to brush up on your knowledge of Chasidism? Definitely not a beach read, this one is being billed as “the very first cartographic reference book on one of the modern era’s most vibrant and important mystical movements. Featuring 74 large format maps and a wealth of illustrations, charts and tables, this one-of-a-kind atlas charts Chasidism’s emergence and expansion; its dynasties, courts and prayer houses; its spread to the New World; the crisis of the two world wars and the Holocaust; and Chasidism’s remarkable postwar rebirth.” Cartography by Waldemar Spallek
“For Single Mothers Working as Train Conductors” by Laura Esther Wolfson (University of Iowa Press)
If essays are your reading jam — and they’re often mine — you should check out this collection, which was selected by Meghan Daum for the Iowa Prize for Literary Nonfiction. Within its pages, the publisher promises, you’ll read about the author’s “years of immersion in the Russian and French languages; her struggles to gain a basic understanding of Judaism, its history, and her place in it; and her search for a form to hold the stories that emerge from what she has lived, observed, overheard, and misremembered.”
Erika Dreifus is a New York-based writer and book publicist (although she is not representing any of the books/authors cited here). Visit her online at www.ErikaDreifus.com and follow her on Twitter at @ErikaDreifus, where she tweets “on matters bookish and/or Jewish.”
Andy Cohen channels his inner yenta the matchmaker when “Love Connection” returns to Fox for its second season on May 29.
Howie Mandel will be back at the judges’ table with Simon Cowell, Melanie Brown and Heidi Klum when the variety competition “America’s Got Talent” begins its 13th season May 29 on NBC.
Playing a role dramatically different from Alicia in “The Good Wife,” Julianna Margulies portrays a shallow, appearance-obsessed fashion magazine editor in “Dietland,” a dark comedy that tackles such timely topics as body image, misogyny, sexual abuse and feminist revenge. Based on Sarai Walker’s 2015 best-seller, it premieres June 4 on AMC.
Alicia Silverstone is the titular lead in TV Land’s dramedy series “American Woman,” premiering June 7 on Paramount Network. Set in the 1970s and inspired by the early family life of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Kyle Richards, it’s about a suddenly single mother struggling to raise her two daughters.
The 72nd annual Tony Awards air June 10 on CBS, and there are several nominated Members of the Tribe. Film stars Amy Schumer and Andrew Garfield are nominated for their Broadway stage performances in “Meteor Shower” and the revival of “Angels in America,” respectively. “The Band’s Visit,” a musical based on the 2007 Israeli movie of the same name, is up for 11 awards, including best musical (Marc Platt and David F. Schwartz are among the producers). Its composer, David Yazbek, book author Itamar Moses and supporting actor Ari’el Stachel also are nominated.
Andy Cohen. Photo by Ray Mickshaw/Fox.Alicia Silverstone. Photo by Ray Mickshaw/Fox.
Amy Irving will guest star on Showtime’s “The Affair,” playing a sculptor that Cole (Joshua Jackson) seeks out midway through the season. The character is a mysterious figure from his father’s past, and he visits her to get questions answered. The fourth season kicks off on June 14.
In its second season, the women wrestlers of Netflix’s “Glow” are dealing with the realities of their newfound fame, for better or worse. The ’80s-set series starring Alison
Brie and Marc Maron premieres on Netflix June 29.
First broadcast in the U.S. on PBS in 2010, the five-part BBC adaptation of “The Diary of Anne Frank” begins streaming exclusively on AcornTV June 11. The cast includes Ellie Kendrick as Anne, Felicity Jones as Margot, and Iain Glen as their father, Otto.
The 1989 dark comedy “Heathers” has received an episodic-format reboot and a bit of a sex change: one of the teenage Heathers is male. Selma Blair plays the stripper mother of one of the girls in the series, which premieres July 10 on Paramount Network.
Julianna Margulies. Photo Credit: Patrick Harbron/AMCHowie Mandel. Photo by Trae Patton/NBC.
Producer J.J. Abrams joins forces with Stephen King for the new horror series “Castle Rock,” about scary goings on in a Maine town. King wrote the scripts for the episodes, based on characters in his stories, and Sissy Spacek and Scott Glenn head the ensemble cast. It begins streaming July 25 on Hulu.
In “Like Father,” Seth Rogen sets the plot in motion when he leaves Kristen Bell at the altar and she goes on their planned honeymoon cruise with her estranged dad (Kelsey Grammer). The comedy launches Aug. 3 on Netflix.
Lizzy Caplan stars opposite Michael Pena in the movie “Extinction,” about a family fighting to survive after alien force invades the planet. It premieres Aug. 10 on Netflix.
On Aug. 19, Ian Ziering returns in “Sharknado 6,” the final movie in the campy
Syfy movie series. Set post-apocalypse, it sends his character, Fin, back in time to stop the original “Sharknado” attack and save
the world.
