What’s Happening: Gideon Raff, Purim Events

SAT MARCH 7

Lev Eisha Shabbat
Lev Eisha’s community of joyous Jewish women prays and sings together during a soul-inspiring Shabbat. A kiddush luncheon follows services. Led by Rabbi Toba August, Cindy Paley and Joy Krauthammer. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Beth Shir Shalom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica.

“Five Pieces of Paper”
Israeli performer Moti Buchboot brings to life stories and lessons he learned from his Hungarian grandmother, a Holocaust survivor from a Hungarian village who settled after the war in a small town in Israel. Created in response to the 2017 Charlottesville riots, his show, “Five Pieces of Paper,” is a personal love story featuring Yiddish song, acting, puppetry, storytelling and onstage baking.  8-9:30 p.m. $20. Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles.

SUN MARCH 8 

“Dear Fredy”
Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust and JQ International screen “Dear Fredy,” spotlighting the little-known story of proud German Jew and openly gay man Fredy Hirsch. Combining interviews, archival materials and animation — and told in Hebrew with English subtitles – the film recounts how Hirsch fled from Germany to Czechoslovakia after the Nuremberg Laws were enacted and became a popular counselor in the sports movement. He was deported to Theresienstadt and eventually to Auschwitz, where he was able to make life more comfortable for children there. A Q-and-A follows with Jordanna Gessler, vice president of education and exhibits at LAMOTH, and Tom Lifka. 4 p.m. $10 suggested donation. Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, 100 The Grove Drive.

WED MARCH 11

“The Road to War”
Jordan Reimer, a policy analyst at RAND in the defense and political sciences department, discusses, “The Road to War: U.S., Iran and Israel Amid a Chaotic Middle East.” Reimer highlights how even as Israel is building ties with the Arab world, the U.S. and Iran seem to be heading for confrontation, plunging the Middle East into further disarray. He explores the boundaries of Iran’s positions in the Middle East and whether America’s policy toward Iran is sound. 7:30 p.m. $20. American Jewish University, Burton Sperber Jewish Community Library, 15600 Mulholland Drive.

THU MARCH 12

Gideon Raff
Acclaimed Israeli film and television writer and director Gideon Raff (“The Spy,” “Prisoners of War”) sits down for a wide-ranging conversation with Sinai Temple Senior Rabbi David Wolpe about Raff’s life, career and his Jewish identity. 7:30-9 p.m. Free, Sinai members. $25 general. Advance registration required for parking access. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd.

Update March 9: The event with GIdeon Raff has been cancelled. For more information, please contact Sinai Temple.

Purim Events

SUN MARCH 8

Wise Purim Carnival
Stephen Wise Temple, one of the community’s largest congregations, holds a day of fun for all ages at its annual Purim carnival, featuring rides, games, attractions and a Ferris wheel overlooking the city. Open to Wise members and guests. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wristbands include entry, rides, games. Food not included. $30 for ages 2-4, $50 for ages 5-18. Adults and children under 2 are free. Stephen Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive.

“A Super Marvelous Purim”
Inspired by Marvel Comics, Temple Beth Am’s “A Super Marvelous Purim,” is fun for kids of all ages, featuring giant inflatable games, crafts, an early childhood play area, face paintings, glitter tattoos, a social action project and more. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $15 per child. Food sold separately. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd.

“Back To The Eighties”?
Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills’ “Back-to-the-‘80s”/5780 Purim carnival and party features Megillah, music, face-painting, carnival games, bounce houses, hamantachen, lunch and more. 10:30 a.m. doors open and shpiel begins. 11:30 a.m. party and lunch starts. $35 individual, $90 for family pass up to four people. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 300 N. Clark Drive, Beverly Hills.

MON MARCH 9

IKAR Purim Justice Carnival
IKAR’s Purim Justice Carnival is the snappiest Purim party in town. Come in costume and be prepared for a night of dancing, drinking, justice and noisemaking. Don’t forget to bring your own grogger — a box of pasta, rice, cereal or any non-perishable food you can make noise with. All items will be donated to SOVA after the party. 7 p.m. Magillah reading and shpiel, free. 8:15 p.m. $15, $22 with meal. Candela La Brea, 831 S. La Brea Ave. 

Star Wars’ Purim Shpiel
Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park and Eagle Rock holds a dinner, followed by a “Star Wars”-themed Purim shpiel. The evening includes a Megillah reading, drinks and a piñata. There will be a Persian-style feast and the reading of the story of Esther in a variety of languages, plus, of course, hamantashen. Thematic costumes are highly encouraged for children and adults. Dinner 6 p.m., Purim shpiel 6:45 p.m. Temple Israel of Highland Park and Eagle Rock, 5711 Monte Vista St., Los Angeles. RSVP by clicking on the link. 

Roaring Twenties Purim
Young Jewish Professionals Roaring 1920s-themed Purim party encourages attendees to come dressed in attire of the era or clothing of their choice. The event describes itself as a Purim experience that is about finding rhythm and divine inspiration. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $30-$60. Exchange L.A., 618 S. Spring St.

Stand Up for Purim
Sinai Temple’s Atid group for young professionals, ages 21-39, celebrates Purim with stand-up comedy with comedians Tehran, Rachel Mac, Micah Bleich and Menachem Silverstein, along with host Mateen Stewart. Hamantachen and wine are included in the price of admission. 8-9:30 p.m. $10, $15 at the door. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd.

Purim Fest 2020
Pico Shul and the Happy Minyan team up for a Purim Fest featuring Moshav Band. The event includes a Megillah Lounge, cocktail bar, dessert, a food truck and charity raffle.  Proceeds benefit families in need.  9-11:30 p.m. $25 online, $30 at the door. The Mark, 9320 Pico Blvd.  

“Megillah on the Roof”
Temple Judea’s “Megillah on the Roof, A Purim Shpiel,” promises to be as entertaining as the movie that inspired it  — “Fiddler on the Roof.”  Dress in costume and sing along with the songs from “Fiddler,” as a cast of Judea congregants dance and sing the story of Purim. 6:30 p.m. Free. Temple Judea, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. The event is held in advance of Judea’s Purim Carnival, which takes place March 15.

VBS Purim Shpiel and Party
Dress up in your favorite costume and drop by Valley Beth Shalom to enjoy a Purim shpiel. Bring a box of noisy food — rice or pasta for example — and at the end of festivities, donate the item to the VBS Food Bank. 7-9 p.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino.

Borscht and Good Humor
Hollywood Temple Beth El seeks to recreate the Borscht Belt ers during its Megillah reading. Merrymakers are asked to come in costume and bring a dessert or light liquor to share with others. 7-10 p.m. $10 or what you can afford. Hollywood Temple Beth El, 1317 N. Crescent Heights Blvd.

TUE MARCH 10

Purim for Children
Celebrate Purim at the Sephardic Temple’s Purim Carnival. Unlimited rides, games and prizes. Food available for purchase. 3-6:30 p.m. $35 members ages 2-15. $40 non-members ages 2-15, door. Sephardic Temple, 10500 Wilshire Blvd.

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.