SAT | MAY 9
(AUCTION)
To raise money for its services and programs, Nashuva is auctioning off four tickets to the final singing competition of “American Idol” on May 19 and another pair of tickets to the finals on May 20. The donated tickets are now being auctioned on Nashuva’s Web site; bidding began May 1 with a minimum of $1,500 for one pair of tickets and ends May 12 at 9 p.m. {encode=”return@nashuva.com” title=”return@nashuva.com”}. ” title=”www.broadwayla.org” target=”_blank”>www.broadwayla.org.
MON | MAY 11
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More than 20 local Sephardic synagogues and organizations are joining forces with Sephardic Tradition and Recreation (S.T.A.R.) to bring the Jewish community together for an unprecedented, massive Lag B’Omer extravaganza. The coalition is renting out the entire Santa Monica Pier — it will be closed to the general public — and complementing its rides and games with live music by local favorite Pini Cohen and DJ Moshe H’Yafe, kosher food and more. Mon. 5:30-10:30 p.m. $8 (prepaid admission), $10 (prepaid, unlimited rides), $20 (at the gate). Santa Monica Pier. Call for a list of local synagogues selling wristbands: (818) 782-7359.</p>
<p><b>(BOOK TALK)</b><br />
In his memoir, “Shush! Growing Up Jewish Under Stalin,” Emil Draitser tells how he developed the habit of lowering his voice every time he uttered the word “Jewish” in public. Draitser, professor of Russian at Hunter College in New York City, writes about his childhood in the anti-Semitic, post-Holocaust Soviet Union and gives a panoramic view of two centuries of Jewish history in Russia. Mon. 6:30 p.m. Free. Westwood Branch Library, 1246 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1739.{encode=” wwood@lapl.org” title=” wwood@lapl.org”}. </p>
<p><b>(LAG B’OMER)</b><br />
Join the festive Lag B’Omer celebrations at the only beach in Los Angeles that allows bonfires. JconnectLA’s annual Lag B’Omer bash at Dockweiler Beach — which drew nearly 400 people last year — will include bonfires, live music, a jam session, rallies, prizes and a barbecue. Bring instruments and a sweatshirt. Mon. 6 p.m. Minimal charge for barbecue (cash only). Dockweiler Beach, 12000 Vista del Mar, Playa del Rey. (310) 405-2336. <a href=)
” title=”www.jconnectla.com” target=”_blank”>www.jconnectla.com.
Dustin Lance Black. Photo by Tom Keller
TUE | MAY 12
(HOLLYWOOD)
Academy Award-winner Dustin Lance Black, who received the 2009 best original screenplay Oscar for “Milk,” will be the featured speaker at the Whizin Center’s Bruce Geller Screenwriting Award reception, honoring the winners of its annual screenwriting competition. Robert Wexler, president of American Jewish University, will interview Black about the process of researching, writing and selling a script in Hollywood. Tue. 6 p.m. (cocktails), 7 p.m. (program), 8:15 p.m. (awards and dessert reception). $10. AJU Familian Campus, Gindi Auditorium, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. R.S.V.P. required. (310) 440-1246. ” title=”www.magbit.org” target=”_blank”>www.magbit.org.
WED | MAY 13
(GALA)
The Israeli Leadership Council is hosting its first annual gala, recognizing Israeli American leadership in Los Angeles and celebrating Israel’s Independence Day. Two Israeli music icons, Rami Kleinstein and Einat Saruf, will perform and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Leo David will be honored with special awards. Proceeds from the event will go toward empowering an active and involved Israeli community. Wed. 6:30 p.m. (reception), 7:30 p.m. (program and dinner). $300 and up. The Beverly Hilton Hotel, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 821-9919. ” title=”www.ajula.edu” target=”_blank”>www.ajula.edu.
THU | MAY 14
(ENVIRONMENT)
NBC4 weather forecaster Fritz Coleman will moderate a free public symposium on the regional drought that is plaguing Los Angeles. Policymakers, scientists and environmental experts will discuss the less-than-glamorous but critical issues surrounding our water supply. Panelists include H. David Nahai, general manager and CEO of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power; Dr. Hilary Godwin, associate dean at UCLA’s School of Public Health; and Dr. Yoram Cohen, director of the Water Technology Research Center at UCLA. The documentary “The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?” will also be screened and discussed. Sponsored by Temple Beth Am’s Green Team. Thu. 7 p.m. Free. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7354. ” title=”www.facinghistory.org/allstate” target=”_blank”>www.facinghistory.org/allstate.
(PHOTOGRAPHY)
Israeli-born Moshe Brakha photographed the likes of Madonna, Devo, The Screamers and other punk legends long before they made the covers of magazines; later, he photographed musicians who were already megastars: Sting, Ringo Starr, The Beastie Boys, Diana Ross, The Ramones and others. “Occupation Dreamer: The Photography of Moshe Brakha,” an exhibit premiering at the Grammy Museum, features black-and-white and color photos Brakha took between 1976 and 1986. Thu. 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Through Aug. 9. $10-$14 (museum admission). Grammy Museum at L.A. LIVE, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 765-6800. ” title=”www.jewishla.org” target=”_blank”>www.jewishla.org.
FRI | MAY 15
(FILM)
“Not Forgotten,” co-written and directed by Israeli filmmaker Dror Soref, is about a man who has it all, a beautiful wife and charming daughter, until his past comes back to haunt him and he has to return to a dark cult religion he once practiced in order to retrieve his missing daughter. The thriller explores the real Mexican spiritual sect of La Santa Muerte, a controversial group that worships Saint Death. Opens today in theaters. ” title=”www.scr.org” target=”_blank”>www.scr.org.
