Calendar Picks and Clicks: Aug. 19-27, 2010

THU | AUG 19

(FILM)
Filmmaker Sami Shalom Chetrit follows his mother in “Azi Ayima” (“Come Mother”) as she searches for classmates from her Moroccan village school 60 years earlier. The documentary details the hardships and joys experienced by the first generation of Moroccan women to immigrate to Israel. A discussion with Chetrir, who heads the Hebrew Studies program at Queens College, CUNY, follows the screening. Thu. 7:30-9:30 p.m. $10 (suggested donation). Levantine Cultural Center, 5998 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 657-5511. levantinecenter.org.

(FESTIVAL)
Jewlicious holds its first Camp Jewlicious, a four-day summer festival for young adults, 18-36. In addition to the usual camp activities — horseback riding, ropes course, Israeli dancing, bonfire — and Jewlicious concerts, learn how to build support for your cause during the Grassroots Organizing Summit. $99-$280. Scholarships available. Aug. 19-22. Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University, 1101 Pepper Tree Lane, Simi Valley. (310) 277-5544. jewliciousfestival.com.

FRI | AUG 20

(FILM)
Drawing comparisons to “Brokeback Mountain,” the award-winning “Brotherhood” is a tragic love story set within the ranks of the Danish white supremacist movement. Lars, a career army officer, leaves the service when rumors of homosexual conduct surface. Recruited by a neo-Nazi group, Lars finds himself falling for a fellow skinhead, Jimmy. The unlikely pair struggle to keep their love a secret, but it isn’t long before their taboo relationship is revealed by their gay-bashing brethren. Opening in limited release, “Brotherhood” took the top prize at the 2009 International Rome Film Festival for first-time director Nicolo Donato. Laemmle Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (310) 478-3836. laemmle.com.

(FILM)
With “Lebanon” shot inside of a single tank, writer-director Samuel Maoz captures the disorientation experienced by four 20-something Israel Defense Forces soldiers during the chaos of war. The visceral film, which won the Leone d’Oro during the 2009 Venice International Film Festival, is based on Maoz’s own experiences serving in the Israeli army during the 1982 Lebanon War. Laemmle’s Town Center 5, 17200 Ventura Blvd., Encino, (818) 981-9811. Laemmle’s Playhouse 7, 673 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. (626) 844-6500. laemmle.com.

(SHABBAT)
Expect a little more begging than normal during the Kiddush at Beth Shir Shalom this Shabbat as the Santa Monica congregation holds a Bark Mitzvah and Pet Shabbat. Attendees can enjoy an outdoor Shabbat service with their favorite furry, feathered or scaled companion. All kinds of pets are welcome, but organizers request that animals be kept on a leash or in a cage. Fri. 7:30-8:45 p.m. Free. Beth Shir Sholom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 453-3361. www.bethshirsholom.org.

SUN | AUG 22

(PICNIC)
Take advantage of the last days of summer with Congregation Kol Ami’s Israeli Picnic in the Park. Hang back in the shade and socialize with congregants from the West Hollywood synagogue or participate in Maccabiah Games-style competitions. Juice and water provided. Bring your own lunch. Sun. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $5 (individuals), $10 (families). Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. (323) 606-0996. kol-ami.org.

(MUSIC)
While you’re in West Hollywood, go do a little shopping and then come back to Plummer Park for Wandering Star, the second annual Hollywood Jewish Festival, hosted by the City of West Hollywood’s Russian Advisory Board and Unity in Diversity Arts Foundation. The Cantors — featuring cantors Sam Cohen, Nati Baram and Marcus Feldman, and pianist Diana Volman — usher in the High Holy Days with a concert in Hebrew, Yiddish and Italian. Sun. 4-6 p.m. $15 (seniors, children), $20 (general, advance), $25 (general, door). Plummer Park’s Fiesta Hall, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. (323) 868-2623 (English), (323) 650-4577 (Russian).

(LECTURE)
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, author of the best- seller “Kosher Sex,” continues to wrestle with the challenges of modern-day relationships by conceding and celebrating our imperfections. Boteach leads a discussion on “Using Sinfulness to Heat Up Marriage and Romantic Relationships.” Sun. 8-9 p.m. $10 (students, advance), $15 (general, advance), $15 (students, door), $20 (general, door). Sephardic Temple, 10500 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles. (310) 475-7000. thisworld.us.

MON | AUG 23

(SPECIAL NEEDS)
Friendship Circle End of Summer Camp, a three-day camp for special-needs children, ages 5 to 18, features sports, activities and field trips to the California Science Center, Scooter’s Jungle and Bright Child Indoor Playground. The camp, sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and HaMercaz, offers one-to-one and two-to-one counselor-to-camper ratios. Scholarships available. Mon. Through Aug. 25. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $75 (each day). Friendship Circle of Los Angeles, 9581 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 277-3252. fcla.org.

(FOOD)
Award-winning chef David Kinch of Los Gatos’ Manresa does a one-night stint at Melisse as part of chef Josiah Citrin’s Summer Guest Chef Series. The evening, which raises funds for the Special Olympics, features a six-course meal that includes Napa Valley rib-eye of lamb and strawberry gazpacho. Mon. 5:30-6:45 p.m. (first seating), 8:15-9:30 (second seating). $150. Melisse, 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 395-0881. melisse.com.

WED | AUG 25

(MUSIC)
Jason Mraz and Monica Mancini headline a tribute to songwriting siblings George and Ira Gershwin during the Hollywood Bowl’s “Gershwin Across America.” BeBe Winans, Nancy Wilson and St. Vincent join Mraz and Mancini on the bill, along with a big band and strings ensemble. A soon-to-be-released tribute album, “Gershwin Across America,” produced by Phil Ramone, boasts contributions from Paul Simon, Mraz, Darius Rucker, Jewel and others. Wed. 6-10 p.m. $8-$129. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com.

(POLITICS)
The National Council of Jewish Women hosts a panel discussion on “Immigration Reform … A Broken System.” Panelists include PBS journalist Jeffrey Kaye, author of “Moving Millions: How Coyote Capitalism Fuels Global Immigration”; ACLU attorney Jennie Pasquarella; and Eun Sook Lee, executive director of the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium. KCAL and CBS politics reporter Dave Bryan moderates. Wed. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free. NCJW/LA, 543 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 852-8503. ncjwla.org.

THU | AUG 26

(EDUCATION)
Valley Beth Shalom’s Rabbi Joshua Hoffman helps you prepare for the High Holy Days with “The Ethics of Teshuvah: Do You Need to Forgive and When Is It Time to Forget?” Hoffman uses Jewish texts and traditions to help attendees grasp the challenges and benefits of repentance. Thu. 7:30-9 p.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000. vbs.org.

FRI | AUG 27

(SHABBAT)
Santa Monica’s Congregation Beth Shir Sholom hosts a Tish-Ka-Bob barbecue followed by a musical Shabbat service featuring the synagogue’s all-member band, The TishTones. Fri. 7:30 p.m. Free. Beth Shir Sholom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 453-3361. www.bethshirsholom.org.