Picks and Clicks for February 28–March 6, 2009

SAT | FEBRUARY 28
” title=”www.ortamerica.org”>www.ortamerica.org (click on the Calendar tab).

SUN | MARCH 1
(ART)
Jewish female artists set out to explore the theme, “Like Water on Rock,” in a variety of mediums — painting, sculpture, collage, photography and video — and in a host of ways, including through the concepts of time, change, human influence and persistence, among others. Their work will be on display at the Platt and Borstein Galleries for the Jewish Women Artists’ Network’s 2009 National Juried Exhibition. The artists organization, part of the National Caucus for Art, is the only special-interest group for professional Jewish female artists in the United States. Meet the nearly two dozen women who contributed their artistic vision to the show at the gallery’s artist reception and brunch. Guided tours are available. Sun. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free admission and parking. The exhibition will run Sun.-Fri. through April 5. Platt and Borstein Galleries, American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. (310) 476-9777, ext. 201. ” title=”www.cathyhellermusic.com”>www.cathyhellermusic.com.

(HOLOCAUST)
Thousands of Jewish children are believed to have been hidden in Belgian convents during World War II. Altruistic nuns and priests took them from the arms of frantic parents and passed the children off as Catholics to save their lives. “Hidden Children of the Holocaust: Belgian Nuns and Their Daring Rescue of Jews From the Nazis” by Suzanne Vromen is a moving account of these children’s ordeal. Vromen, who was hidden as a child, gathered records, assembled testimonies and interviewed the nuns and hidden children to tell a tale of courage, survival, selflessness and faith. Vromen will read passages from her book and discuss her research at a reception hosted by Child Survivors of the Holocaust Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust. Sun. 1:30 p.m. Free (donations are welcome). LAMOTH, 6435 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 651-3704. ” title=”www.rjchq.org”>www.rjchq.org.

MON | MARCH 2
(THEATER)
Lilia Skala was not only a theater star in Austria but also the country’s first female architect. She fled her homeland in the 1930s, before Hitler rose to power, and ended up a penniless refugee toiling in a New York zipper factory. Lilia fought her way back onto the stage — and not just any stage but Broadway — as well as the silver screen opposite Sidney Poitier in “Lilies of the Field.” Her granddaughter, Libby, tells her remarkable life story in, “Lilia!” playing for one night at The Groundlings as part of the Gary Austin Improv show. Austin, the founder of The Groundlings, teaches a workshop where playwright Libby Skala first conceived and developed her homage to her grandmother, which then went on to play at the Leeds Jewish Performing Arts Festival and the Manchester Jewish Museum. “An adoring portrait … deliciously poignant … Libby is magnetic in a part that clearly means the world to her,” according to The New York Times. Mon. 8 p.m. $12. The Groundlings Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 934-4747. ” title=”www.liliatheplay.com”>www.liliatheplay.com.

TUE | MARCH 3
” title=”www.friendshipcircleca.com/arts”>www.friendshipcircleca.com/arts

WED | MARCH 4
(COOKING)
If you don’t know Judy Zeidler, you don’t know Jewish cooking. The author of “The Gourmet Jewish Cook,” “Judy Zeidler’s International Deli Cookbook,” “30-Minute Kosher Cook” and “Master Chefs Cook Kosher” has often treated Journal readers to her scrumptious holiday recipes. Chef Judy welcomes the community into her own kosher kitchen for an intimate lesson courtesy of American Jewish University. “Cooking With Judy: A Fun Purim Menu” is an opportunity to learn how to whip up a holiday feast that’ll please kids and impress adults. The only requirement for this culinary course is a prior knowledge of fun. Wed. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $64. Zeidler residence, address disclosed upon payment. (310) 440-1246. {encode=”ccohen@ajula.edu” title=”ccohen@ajula.edu”}. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>(MUSIC)
For more than two decades, the Grammy Award-winning Klezmatics have been splashing musical influences on their already textured klezmer canvas. The layers of color — folk, Balkan, jazz, Arabic, African — have contributed to an eclectic repertoire that prompted Time Out New York to write: “Jewish traditional music is just the starting point for songs that jump, rock and swing — sometimes all at the same time.” The contagiously energetic ensemble will play in a UCLA Live concert that will touch upon the entire scope of the Klezmatics’ career, from their adaptation of never-recorded lyrics by Woody Guthrie to their collaboration with “kosher gospel” artist Joshua Nelson. Never losing sight of their old-world spiritual core, the innovative performers inspire audiences to dance, as well as rejoice. Robin Williams said, “If you can hear this music and not see God, you are … blind.” Thu. 8 p.m. $38-$60. Royce Hall, UCLA, Westwood. (310) 825-2101. ” title=”www.atidla.com”>www.atidla.com.

FRI | MARCH 6
” title=”www.centertheatregroup.org”>www.centertheatregroup.org.

(SHABBAT)
Composer Samuel Adler will light up the marquee at Temple Emanuel’s Synaplex Shabbat service this Friday night. The German-born son of a cantor, who became a choir director at 13, will showcase a sampling of his music, performed by the Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale.  Adler holds degrees from Boston and Harvard universities; was a professor and department chairman at the Eastman School of Music; has penned more than 400 compositions, and served on the faculty at the prestigious Juilliard School. In addition to putting his musical talents on display, Adler will also be exhibiting his strong faith in a musical sermon. This special service may be the main attraction, but there’s more to the monthly Synaplex Shabbat: dinner, children’s programs, wine-tasting and more. Fri. 5:30 p.m. Free. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737, ext. 232. {encode=”Tanya@tebh.org” title=”Tanya@tebh.org”}.