Picks and Clicks for March 14–20, 2009

SAT | MARCH 14

” title=”www.fountaintheatre.com” target=”_blank”>www.fountaintheatre.com.

(BOOK SIGNING)
Swedish novelist Linda Olsson, whose debut novel, “Astrid & Veronika,” explores love and loss in the context of an unlikely friendship, is back with “Sonata for Miriam.” A Jewish composer, mourning the sudden accidental death of his daughter, leaves his New Zealand home and sets out for Krakow, Poland, to uncover his parents’ fate during World War II and for Sweden to follow a lost love. Olsson will be discussing and signing her novel today. Sat. 4 p.m. Free. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. (626) 449-5320. ” title=”www.stefanivaladezmusic.com” target=”_blank”>www.stefanivaladezmusic.com.

(LECTURE)
Theodore Bikel is a multifaceted artist whose talents include actor, folk singer, author, radio host and Jewish spokesman. The raconteur will reflect on his long, varied career during “Theodore Bikel: Actor as Activist,” part of the ninth annual Sylvia Alster Memorial Lecture Series at Temple Ahavat Shalom. Bikel’s presentation will be followed by a dessert reception. Sat. 8-10 p.m. $30 (general seating), $25 (Temple Ahavat Shalom members), $50 (sponsor with reserved seat), $100 (benefactor with reserved seat), $1,000 (four reserved seats and private wine and cheese reception with Bikel). Temple Ahavat Shalom, 18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge. (818) 360-2258. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>(LECTURE)
Jonathan Kirsch, author of “The Grand Inquisitor’s Manual: A History of Terror in the Name of God,” leads a lecture and discussion on “Torture: From the Inquisition to Guantanamo and Beyond.” The Los Angeles Times columnist and NPR commentator will draw parallels between the Salem witch trials, Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia and the war on terror. A book signing will follow Kirsch’s lecture. It is part of an ongoing series of Sunday morning lectures and discussions sponsored by the Sholem Community, a secular Jewish organization. Sun. 10:15 a.m. Free. American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. (310) 216-0667. ” title=”www.komenlacounty.org” target=”_blank”>www.komenlacounty.org.

(INTERFAITH SYMPOSIUM)
“Forgiveness and Atonement in Art, Theology and Music” will be the topic on the table at the sixth annual Interfaith Symposium and Concert. Speakers include Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, Valley Beth Shalom; the Rev. David Worth, Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church; the Rev. Alexei Smith, L.A. Archdiocese’s director of ecumenical and interreligious affairs; and Getty art historian Jeremy Glatstein, with Valley Beth Shalom’s Rabbi Edward Feinstein moderating. A concert will follow the discussion, with Dr. Nick Strimple leading the Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale and performances by the Choral Society of Southern California and the Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir. The Jewish Music Commission of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church and the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese are co-sponsoring the program. Sun. 1-5 p.m. Free. Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church, 505 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. (818) 907-7194. ” title=”www.tbala.org/lehrhaus” target=”_blank”>www.tbala.org/lehrhaus.

(SINGLES)
Stephanie and Ron Green met, fell in love and got married — after 50. Hear their story and join the discussion, “Who Says It Can’t Happen? Finding Love After 50,” during Conversations at Leon’s, a salon-style gathering in a private home. The evening includes a complimentary buffet dinner, wine, soft drinks, coffee and dessert. Thu. 8 p.m. $17 (before Wed.), $20. Private home in Sherman Oaks. (818) 986-9899. {encode=”converseatleons@gmail.com” title=”converseatleons@gmail.com”}.

FRI | MARCH 20

” title=”www.njop.org” target=”_blank”>www.njop.org.

(FILM)
Golden Globe-winner Sarah Jessica Parker stars in “Spinning Into Butter,” a film about a series of racist incidents at a liberal arts college in Vermont that wreaks havoc on the entire community. Adapted from Rebecca Gilman’s original Broadway play, the tale is based partially on the writer’s own experiences as a student at Middlebury College in 1983. Opens Fri. Check theater for show times. $7-$10. Laemmle’s Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (323) 848-3500. ” title=”www.templealiyah.org” target=”_blank”>www.templealiyah.org.

(SHABBAT)
Israeli air force Brig. Gen. (reserve) Relik Shafir will be the guest speaker at Valley Outreach Synagogue’s Purim Shabbat service. Shafir served on several historically significant Israeli air force missions, including the 1981 attack that destroyed Iraq’s nuclear reactor in Osirak. Currently an IAF official spokesperson to the foreign press, Shafir can field questions about the recent Gaza incursion. Fri. 7 p.m. (services), 8:30 p.m. (speaker). Free (valet parking is validated by synagogue). Hilton Hotel, 6360 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills. (818) 882-4867. {encode=”vosla@socal.rr.com” title=”vosla@socal.rr.com”}.