Calendar Picks and Clicks: May 25 – June 3, 2010

TUE | MAY 25

(CHARITY)
Comedian Bob Saget hosts “Cool Comedy-Hot Cuisine,” a fundraiser for the Scleroderma Research Foundation, an organization dedicated to finding the cure for the autoimmune disease. The star-studded lineup includes Ray Romano, Sarah Silverman, Dana Delany, B.J. Novak, Bill Bellamy and late-night host Craig Ferguson providing entertainment for the evening. Celebrity chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken offer up a five-course Latin-themed dinner. Tues. 6:30 p.m. (cocktails), 7:30 p.m. (dinner). $500-$25,000. Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel, 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (800) 441-2873. sclerodermaresearch.org.

WED | MAY 26

(FILM)
StandWithUs screens the documentary, “U.N. Me,” Ami Horowitz and Matthew Groff’s darkly humorous look at the international organization’s problem areas — peacekeeping, nuclear proliferation, human rights abuses/genocide and corruption. The event, which commemorates StandWithUs’ ninth anniversary, features a post-screening discussion with Horowitz. Wed. 7 p.m. $18 (general), $100 (VIP). Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 836-6140, ext. 142. standwithus.com.

(LECTURE)
“An Evening of Hope: Jewish Revival in Poland” features personal testimonies, footage from a 2009 Cantor’s Assembly concert tour of Poland and a photographic exhibition of “Righteous Gentiles: Those Who Rescued Jews.”(For more information, see op-ed on Page 10.) Wed. 7 p.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000. vbs.org.

THU | MAY 27

(LECTURE)
“Parenting Without Therapy: An Intimate Evening of Laughter and Learning” features serious parent-child relationship advice by psychologist Mark Brenner and humorous insights by comedian Mark Schiff. Thu. 8 p.m. $20. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 990-2324. theatermania.com.

(MUSIC)
Lighting up the corner of Third Street and Fairfax Avenue, the first night of the Original Farmers Market’s annual summer-long “Thursday Night Jazz and Friday Night Music” series features the Elliot Caine Quintet, a local jazz, Latin and blues ensemble. Thu. Various artists through Sept. 10. 7 p.m. Free. Original Farmers Market, West Patio, 6333 W. Third St., Los Angeles. (323) 933-9211. farmersmarketla.com.

SUN | MAY 30

(ART)
Nine contemporary artists showcase their paintings for “Palettes of Color,” a new exhibition organized by the Jewish Federation Valley Alliance. Sat. Through June 27. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sunday). 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (Monday-Thursday), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Friday). Free. Finewood Art Gallery. Bernard Milken JCC, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. (818) 464-3200. jewishla.org/Finegood_Art_Gallery.cfm.

(FILM)
Follow Bnei Sakhnin, a mixed Israeli Arab-Jewish soccer club, in the documentary “After the Cup: Sons of Sakhnin United” as the players struggle to prove themselves in the season following their unexpected 2004 State Cup win. Christopher Browne, the film’s director, leads a post-screening discussion.  Sun. 5:10 p.m. $11 (general), $8 (seniors). Laemmle Music Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 657-5511. levantinecenter.org.

(THEATER)
The war drama “Tracers,” conceived by Vietnam veteran John DiFusco, follows six American soldiers amid the horrific conditions of Vietnam. Birthright Israel NEXT’s Ally Iseman serves as associate producer of the LOFT ensemble production. Veterans receive free admission and participate alongside DiFusco in a post-show dialogue about their experiences. Sun. Through June 29. 6 p.m. (Sunday), 8 p.m. (Saturday). $20 (general), $18 (students). L.A. Fringe Theatre Studio 5, 929 E. Second St., downtown. (213) 680-0392. loftensemble.com.

TUE | JUNE 1

(LECTURE)
“What About God as Chai Olamim, Life of the World?” features Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University, reconciling contemporary understandings of the world with a love for God. Rabbi David Wolpe of Sinai Temple leads a post-lecture discussion. Tue. 7:30 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 481-3243. sinaitemple.org.

WED | JUNE 2

(COLLEGE PREP)
“Jewish Life on Campus: Where to Find It and How to Be a Part of It” educates high school juniors, seniors and their parents about Jewish opportunities in universities, while cautioning against the anti-Israel rhetoric in some schools, citing the recent events at UC Irvine. Rabbi Nicole Guzik of Sinai Temple moderates a panel with members of Hillel at UCLA, StandWithUs, the Conservative Jewish student organization KOACH and the Greek System. Wed. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Hillel at UCLA, 574 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 481-3246. standwithus.com.

THU | JUNE 3

(BUSINESS)
The Israel Conference highlights technological innovation in the Jewish state. Guest speakers include Yosi Matias, managing director of Google Israel research and development center, and Moshe Lichtman, head of Israel research and development for Microsoft. Thu. 7:30 a.m-9:30 p.m. $240 (advance), $295 (door). Luxe Hotel, 11461 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 476-6571. theisraelconference.org.

(ISRAEL)
Following the shooting of a documentary in Bat Ayin, one of the most controversial Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Leon Williams leads a discussion on the left, right and center of political viewpoints on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Thu. 7:30-10 p.m. $17 (advance), $20 (door). Private residence, 13442 Weddington St., Sherman Oaks. (818) 986-9819.

(MUSIC)
Indie songstress Rachael Sage, who blends Middle Eastern sonic influences and playful Yiddish verses into her unique brand of jazzy, art-pop tunes, performs in support of her latest album, “Delancey Street.” Ages 21 and up. Thu. 8 p.m. $10. The Hotel Cafe, 1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 461-2040. hotelcafe.com.

FRI | JUNE 4

(THEATER)
The comedy-drama “Dinner With Friends,” celebrated playwright Donald Margulies’ Pulitzer Prize-winning meditation on troubled middle-age married couples, opens for a three- week run. Fri. Through June 20. 8 p.m. (Friday), 2 and 8 p.m. (Saturday), 2 and 7 p.m. (Sunday), 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday-Thursday). La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd, La Mirada. (562) 944-9801. lamiradatheatre.com.

(THEATER)
“The Socialization of Ruthie Shapiro” follows a woman revisiting her preconformist youth in 1960s Los Angeles. Fri. Through July 11. 8 p.m. (Friday and Saturday), 2 p.m. (Sunday). $27 (opening night, all seats). $25 (premium seating, remaining nights), $22 (general), $18 (KCRW members), $17 (seniors and veterans), $11 (current military with ID), $5 (students). Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Los Angeles. (323) 851-7977. theatrewest.org.