SAT | APRIL 25
(DOCUMENTARY)
Filmmaker Jeremiah Zagar’s eccentric, tormented father, Isaiah Zager, is the subject of a documentary that has already garnered much critical acclaim at festivals. But while “In A Dream” is about an artist whose tile and mirror murals dot the bohemian neighborhood of South Philadelphia, at the film’s heart is the story of the elder Zager’s passionate relationship with his wife. The filmmakers will participate in a Q-and-A session after tonight’s 7:20 p.m. screening and introduce the 9:45 p.m. screening. $7-$10. Check theater for more show times. Laemmle’s Music Hall Theatre, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 274-6869. ” title=”http://www.sijcc.net” target=”_blank”>http://www.sijcc.net.
(SHOW)
Tossing together pop culture, history and commentary, Emmy Award-winner Robert Wuhl — best known as the fictional sports agent Arli$$ — stars in a show that began as an HBO special and is now slated to hit Broadway. “Assume the Position” is a creative and humorous re-invention of the classroom history lesson that Variety suggested could be fodder for an HBO series. Sat. 8 p.m. Thu.-Sun. Through May 3. $30. El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. (866) 811-4111. ” title=”http://www.nicejewishgirlsgonebad.com” target=”_blank”>http://www.nicejewishgirlsgonebad.com.
SUN | APRIL 26
Daniel Goldhagen
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Author Daniel Goldhagen will be the keynote speaker at this year’s community-wide Holocaust Remembrance Day event at the Los Angeles Holocaust Monument. The author of “Hitler’s Willing Executioners: Ordinary Germans and the Holocaust” and “A Moral Reckoning: The Role of the Catholic Church in the Holocaust and Its Unfulfilled Duty of Repair” will deliver a speech titled “State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda.” Sun. 1:45-4 p.m. Los Angeles Holocaust Monument, Pan Pacific Park, Los Angeles. (310) 821-9919. (See article on page 16.)</p>
<p><b>(DISCUSSION)</b><br />
The MorningStar Commission presents a discussion with Jenji Kohan, creator of Showtime’s “Weeds,” at “Inside the Hollywood Jewish Noggin.” In keeping with the commission’s mission statement, The Journal’s Danielle Berrin will interview Kohan about her portrayal of Jewish characters on her television shows. Slam poet Vanessa Hidary, aka “The Hebrew Mamita,” will perform and industry professionals such as casting directors, talent agents and producers will lead discussions about their own Hollywood Jewish experiences. Sun. 2-4 p.m. $10. Skirball Cultural Center, Haas Building, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. R.S.V.P. required. (310) 712-5400. {encode=”MSCommission@aol.com” title=”MSCommission@aol.com”}. </p>
<p><b>(HEALTH)</b><br />
“Planning a Healthy Family” is a free community health conference by a panel of prominent experts in various medical fields who will lead discussions on the following topics: HPV vaccination, prenatal and postnatal care, fertility preservation and treatments and genetic testing for Sephardic Jews. Sponsored by the Iranian-American Jewish Federation’s Health and Wellness and Genetic Research Committees and L’Dor V’Dor. Sun. 2-6 p.m. Free. Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel, Amado Hall, 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 654-4700. {encode=”Iajf.health@gmail.com” title=”Iajf.health@gmail.com”}. </p>
<p><b>(HOLOCAUST)</b><br />
In May, the Long Beach Opera will perform two operas written in 1943, one a satire on fascism composed in a concentration camp, the other a critique of dictatorship composed in Nazi Germany. As a prequel to the performances, “A Lost World” features a play and a film that highlight the lives of two Jewish artists whose talents flourished even in the worst of circumstances. The play “The Emperor of Atlantis” is based on the opera Jewish composer Viktor Ullman managed to complete in the Theresienstadt camp before being sent to his death at Auschwitz. The film “Prisoner of Paradise” tells the story of Kurt Gerron, a well-known Jewish actor and director who was sent to a concentration camp and ordered to make a pro-Nazi propaganda film. Sun. 3 p.m. $25 (LBO subscriber), $30 (general). Art Theater, 2025 E. Fourth St., Long Beach. (562) 435-2994. {encode=”http://www.longbeachopera.org” title=”http://www.longbeachopera.org”}. </p>
<p><b>(HOLOCAUST)</b><br />
The City of West Hollywood and Congregation Kol Ami are hosting a Yom HaShoah remembrance event with a performance of the “Holocaust Suite From Two Films” composed by Lee Holdridge and a theatrical presentation of the opera “For a Look or a Touch” composed by Jake Heggie. A reception and candle-lighting ceremony will be held at the Babi Yar Memorial in Plummer Park. Sun. 5 p.m. Free. Fiesta Hall, Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. (323) 848-6503. </p>
<p><b>(LECTURE)</b><br />
“Jews on the Frontier” will trace the Jewish journey and Jewish contributions to the early West in a series of presentations by author Harriet Rochlin, who wrote “Pioneer Jews: A New Life in the West,” and Stephen Sass, president of the Jewish Historical Society of Los Angeles. The event will also feature a kosher, vegetarian chili cook-off, music, archived photos, food and a workshop on genealogy. Sponsored by The Jewish Federation, the Chabad Jewish Community Center and South Bay synagogues. Sun. 4:30-9 p.m. $5. Temple Menorah, 1101 Camino Real, Redondo Beach. (310) 316-8444. {encode=”jof@templemenorah.com” title=”jof@templemenorah.com”}. </p>
<p><b>(THEATER)</b><br />
“Flowers Aren’t Enough,” a play written and performed by American-Israeli actress Naomi Ackerman, is a monologue about a young woman from a well-to-do family who finds herself in an abusive relationship. Inspired by true stories and actual incidents, the play is co-sponsored by Adat Ari El and Turning Point Christian Church. A discussion with the audience will follow the performance. Sun. 1:30 p.m. Free. Adat Ari El, Farber Auditorium, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 755-3480, ext. 223. {encode=”dthomson@adatariel.org” title=”dthomson@adatariel.org”. </p>
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<p><big><b>MON | APRIL 27</b></big></p>
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John Ashcroft (top) and Alberto Gonzales
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American Jewish University’s Whizin Center for Continuing Education has an incredible cast of notables lined up for this year’s public lecture series. Tonight, Dan Abrams, NBC news chief legal analyst, interviews former U.S. Attorneys General John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales. On May 19, an all-female panel includes former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; Jehan Sadat, the wife of late Egyptian president Anwar Sadat; and Dahlia Rabin, the late Yitzhak Rabin’s daughter. Mon. 7:30 p.m. $50. Gibson Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. (310) 440-1246. <a href=)
” title=”http://www.ajula.edu/pls” target=”_blank”>http://www.ajula.edu/pls.
(DOCUMENTARY)
“At Home in Utopia” recounts the story of the United Workers Cooperative Colony, a labor housing cooperative in the Bronx organized in the 1920s by poor Jewish immigrants. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with filmmaker Michal Goldman, PJA Executive Director Elissa Barrett and Hershl Hartman, a child of the Colony and education director of the Sholem Community. Peter Dreier, professor of politics at Occidental College, will moderate. Part of the L.A. Jewish Film Festival. Mon. 7:30 p.m. $9 (seniors and students), $12 (adults). Laemmle’s Music Hall Theatre, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. ” title=”http://www.ticketmaster.com” target=”_blank”>http://www.ticketmaster.com.
(YOM HAZIKARON)
The Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles invites the community to join in paying tribute to those who died in service of the State of Israel and in terror attacks. Rabbi Daniel Bouskila will lead the Yom HaZikaron service, and several artists will perform, including Hila Plittman, Noa Dori, Maya Haddi and Ran Shalom. Families of the fallen are invited to arrive at 5 p.m. Mon. 5:45 p.m. Stephen S. Wise Temple, Sanctuary Hall, 1550 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. 
Patti Stanger
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Two very different dating experts — one a saucy diva matchmaker who caters to challenged millionaires on Bravo television, the other an Orthodox rabbi whose self-proclaimed Eleventh Commandment is “Thou shalt do anything for publicity and recognition” — will square off in a hot debate about wealth and love. “Can Money Buy Love? Dating in a Material World” will pit Patti Stanger, host of “Millionaire Matchmaker,” against Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, author of “The Kosher Sutra,” with an Israel Independence Day celebration to follow. Books will be available for purchase and signing after the debate. Tue. 6:30 p.m. (VIP reception), 8 p.m. (debate), 10 p.m. (party). $20 (in advance), $30 (at the door), $60-$80 (VIP). Nessah Synagogue, 142 S. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 273-2400. <a href=)
” title=”http://www.nessah.org” target=”_blank”>http://www.nessah.org.
(COMMUNITY FAIR)
The Jewish Federation’s Community Resource Fair: Getting Help in Tough Times offers those who are struggling financially a host of resources in a free, one-stop program. Professional staff, from social services to governmental agencies, will be on hand to provide counseling and advice, as well as information and referrals to local resources. Dr. Harold Gluss will discuss “Overcoming our Stress and Anxiety During the Financial Crisis” and free workshops will be conducted throughout the day. Tue. 4-7 p.m. Free. The Jewish Federation Goldsmith Building, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 761-8325. ” title=”http://www.jdubrecords.org” target=”_blank”>http://www.jdubrecords.org.
WED | APRIL 29
Mauthausen (1988) – (A Nazi Labor and Extermination Camp in Austria)
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Austrian Jewish artist Soshana Schueller was forced to flee her home when the Nazis took over in 1938. In the ensuing years, she lived and created art in England, New York, Tel Aviv, Paris, and Havana — stopping along the way to have her portrait painted by Picasso — before finally returning to the country of her birth. The Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts at UCLA Hillel is hosting “Soshana: One Artist’s Journey Through the 20th Century,” a retrospective of the now 82-year-old artist’s work that includes 72 paintings. Exhibit runs through June 19. Wed. (opening night reception) 6-8 p.m. Free. Spiegel Auditorium and Dortort Gallery, Hillel at UCLA, 574 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 208-3081, ext. 125.<a href=)
” title=”http://www.uclahillel.org” target=”_blank”> http://www.uclahillel.org.
(ART & FILM)
ATID’s Kosher Art and Film Showcase celebrates emerging Jewish artists and filmmakers in our community with an art opening that includes dessert, coffee and wine and screenings of short films, including the recent Academy Award winner for Live Action, “Toyland.” Normally reserved for young professionals 21-39 years old, this ATID event is open to the entire community and is part of the L.A. Jewish Film Festival. Wed. 6:30 p.m. $10 (Sinai members), $12 (in advance), $15 (at the door for all). Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 481-3244. ” title=”http://www.cbs.com/primetime/csi_ny/” target=”_blank”>http://www.cbs.com/primetime/csi_ny/.
THU | APRIL 30
(ART)
A new art exhibition that explores how we communicate with one another will open at the Zimmer Children’s Museum this month. “show&tell: the art of language” features artwork by more than 75 artists, humanitarians and social activists such as John Baldessari, Edward Ruscha, Ruth Weisberg, Paul Frank and Robert Indiana and includes artwork that addresses humor, body language and sign language. The artwork will be sold to raise money for an arts education initiative in public schools. The show runs through June 19. Zimmer Children’s Museum, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 100, Los Angeles. (323) 761-8141. ” title=”http://www.wbtla.org” target=”_blank”>http://www.wbtla.org.
FRI | MAY 1
(CONCERT)
One of the highlights of the 15th annual Ventura Music Festival is tonight’s concert by the Jerusalem String Quartet, a dynamic group of young musicians who perform around the world. Also at the festival, which runs April 30 to May 9, is David Krakauer’s Acoustic Klezmer Project, performing an update of traditional klezmer sounds that brings in influences from jazz, funk and hip-hop. This year’s festival also features violin virtuoso Jourdan Urbach, father and son Dady and Nuvi Mehta, Russian pianist Alexander Ghindin and others. String Quartet: Fri. 8 p.m. $15-$40. Ventura Missionary Church, 500 High Point Drive, Ventura. Klezmer Project: May 4. 7:30 p.m. $15-$40. Temple Beth Torah, 7620 Foothill Road, Ventura. (805) 648-3146.
