Saturday, Dec. 22
The famous atom was derived from the work of two brilliant physicists, Werner Heisenberg and Niels Bohr. During World War II, the two who had once worked so close together were now on opposite sides of the war. “Copenhagen” is the riveting play that illustrates the unsolved mystery behind the meeting of the two in Denmark, and the disaster that culminated. Winner of a 2000 Tony Award, the Michael Frayn-directed production is hailed as “an electrifying work of art,” by The New York Times. $25-$60. Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m., Sat., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Through Jan. 6, 2002. Wilshire Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. For tickets or more information, call (213) 365-3500.
Sunday, Dec. 23
Shabbat is a fun-filled adventure at the Skirball Cultural Center’s Celebrating the Sabbath program, as artist Susan Silverman helps children create a Shabbat mobile and decorate Magen Davids. It’s an educational day too as kids learn Jewish blessings, enjoy challah and go on a tour of the museum’s holiday and synagogue galleries. $5 (children ages 4 and older). 2 p.m. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (310) 440-4500.
Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is now at the hands of your kids. Bring them to the Jewish Community Library of Los Angeles, where artist and teacher, Neil Eisman, will teach them how to create beautiful works of art. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. 6006 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 761-8648.
Monday, Dec. 24
“The Nutcracker” was never heard quite like this. The new CD, “Klezmer Nutcracker,” gives a satirical Jewish twist to Tchaikovsky’s famous compositions. Songs like “Kozatsky ’till You Dropsky,” “March of the Maccabees,” “Dance of the Latkes Queens” and “Waltz of the Ruggelah,” guarantee that you will never think of the famous ballet the same way again. $15.95. To purchase the CD or for more information, visit www.amazon.com or www.jewishmusic.com.
Tuesday, Dec. 25
The immigration experience of the Mousekewitzs in the 1986 film “An American Tail” mirrored the trek of many Jews to “the land of opportunity.” Today, remember the fun and adventure with Fievel, the lovable mouse at the Skirball Cultural Center’s free screening of the 1991 sequel “An American Tail: Fievel Goes West.” Fievel and his family want a life without the threat of getting eaten by cats, and they think they’ve finally found it in the West. They’re in for a wild adventure, however, when the seemingly kind cat who takes them there is not all he’s cracked up to be. 1 p.m. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (310) 440-4500.
Wednesday, Dec. 26
The Orange County Klezmer Band is keeping it real with their promise to gear their music as close as possible to the authentic ethnic style. Having originated in 1998 by Barry Friedland, the group performs their Chasidic and Jewish music with the help of the clarinet, violin, accordion, trumpet and drums. Tonight, they will perform at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. $7. 8:30 p.m. 7021 Hollywood Blvd. For more information, call (323) 463-0204.
Thursday, Dec. 27
Sports legend Hank Greenberg nearly beat Babe Ruth’s home run record at a time when life had thrown European Jews more than a few curveballs. “The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg,” directed by Aviva Kempner, and now available on DVD and VHS, tells the story of “the baseball Moses,” replete with Yiddish subtitles, a comprehensive Greenberg biography, baseball stats and still photos. The film also includes archival footage from the 1930s and 1940s, interviews with the Detroit Tigers batter and appearances by Alan Dershowitz, talk show host Maury Povich, the late Walter Matthau and more. $29.98. For more information, visit www.hankgreenbergfilm.com.
Friday, Dec. 28
It’s the beginning of World War II and France has just been invaded by the Germans. In the midst of the chaos, “Charlotte Gray,” a young Scottish beauty, played by Cate Blanchett, is searching for her missing lover — an RAF pilot. In this riveting Gillian Armstrong-directed film, the desperate, love-stricken Gray sees the French Resistance as an avenue that might lead to her long-lost lover, but finds herself in the arms of another. Gray becomes a firsthand witness to the horrors of the Nazis and confronts a terrifying secret that could cast a shadow over the rest of her life. Based on the novel by Sebastian Faulkes, “Charlotte Gray” opens today citywide.
