17
Saturday
The touching, comic, eclectic plays of Richard Krevolin have found enthusiastic audiences in Los Angeles in recent months, with popular stagings of his “Boychik” and “RebbeSoul-O” previously featured in this column. Now the West Valley JCC presents Krevolin’s “The Lemony Fresh Scent of Diva Monsoon,” wherein New York interior designer Deborah Moskowitz must follow her mother’s funeral with a visit to her Miami Beach apartment. Advance tickets $8 (members); $12 (nonmembers); add $2 at the door. 8 p.m. Also Sun., Feb. 18, 2 p.m. 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. For reservations or more information, call (818) 464-3300.
The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring celebrates Black History Month tonight with a concert by baritone Robert Louis Cooper. The opera and musical theater star, who holds a Ph.D. in conducting, will sing a variety of tunes from African American spirituals, the theater and opera. $5 (members and children); $8 (nonmembers). 8 p.m. 1525 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (310) 552-2007.
18
Sunday
“The Golem” comes back to life this weekend, with a newly adapted version of the 16th century Prague legend of Rabbi Loew’s mystical creature. Get protection from blood libel and a guard against a dull evening tonight at the Westside JCC. $10 (members); $12 (nonmembers). 2 p.m. Also Sat., March 3, 7:30 p.m. 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. For reservations or more information, call (323) 938-2531 ext. 2225.
19
Monday
Inspired by Mark Twain’s amazement at the Jewish people’s prominence and by Roman Vishniac’s photos of vanishing Jewish communities in 1930s Eastern Europe, photographer Bernard Mendoza has created his photo-documentary “From Generation to Generation.” Recently included in the Smithsonian Institute’s first online exhibit, Mendoza’s photographs focus on Orthodox Jewish communities throughout America, demonstrating how faith and tradition have kept these communities strong and vital. Sun.-Thu. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fri 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Through April 22. Opening reception, Sun., Feb. 18, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. For more information or to
arrange a tour, call (310) 476-9777.
20
Tuesday
One of Israel’s greatest – and at times most controversial – authors David Grossman is in Los Angeles today for a reading at the Skirball Cultural Center. Best known for his novels such as “See Under: Love” and “The Book of Intimate Grammar,” Grossman is also an accomplished children’s author who began his publishing career after more than two decades with Israel Radio, where he started at age 10 as a youth correspondent. Free (students); $5 (general admission). 7:30 p.m. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. For advance tickets, call (323) 655-8587.
21
Wednesday
Your friendly neighborhood Pulitzer Prize-winning media critic Howard Rosenberg has a few words to say about ethics in the media. The widely syndicated television columnist for the Los Angeles Times speaks up tonight at Adat Ari El. 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. For reservations, call (818) 766-9426 ext. 223.
22
Thursday
“Hyrcanus” is the musical story of great Talmudic rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus and his wealthy but uneducated father. Temple Emanuel’s Rabbi Jonathan Aaron wrote and composed the musical as a way to communicate Jewish values. Director Nili Kosmal has assembled a huge cast of actors, singers and dancers to amuse and inspire. Sixty-five performers, ages 7 to 87, hit the stage to tell this story of a farmer-turned-scholar and his family conflicts, and many of the cast are related – children, parents and grandparents. $15 (adults); $10 (seniors and children). 7 p.m. Also Sat., Feb. 24, 7 p.m., and Sun., Feb. 25, 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. For tickets or more information, call (310) 274-6388 ext. 232.
You gotta have friends: The Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Israel’s national art museum, like so many institutions has been hurt by the recent steep decline in visitors. So the American Friends of the Israel Museum are sponsoring a bit of the museum here. Nissan N. Perez, the museum’s curator of photography, offers a lecture and slide show on “Contemporary Photography in Israel: War, Peace and Private Life.” $10. 7:30 p.m. Wilshire Boulevard Temple, For more information, call (310) 557-1061.
23
Friday
Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel has opened the Levy Family Sephardic Exhibition Center to highlight Sephardic history, culture and art. The first exhibit at the center, coordinated by renowned and popular artist Victor Raphael, showcases the architecture and artwork of medieval Spain with photos of Samuel Ha-Levi Abulafia Synagogue in Toledo. Docent-led tours available by appointment. 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information or to arrange a tour, call (310) 475-7311.
