Calendar Picks and Clicks: Oct. 21-28, 2010

THU | OCT 21

(FOOD)
Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold speaks on “Counter Intelligence: Searching Out the Real Los Angeles” for the UCLA Center for Jewish Studies series, “Jews and Food.” Thu. 4-6 p.m. Free. UCLA Faculty Center, 480 Charles Young Drive East, Los Angeles. (310) 825-5387. cjs.ucla.edu.

FRI | OCT 22

(MUSIC)
Israeli jazz bassist and vocalist Avishai Cohen performs material from his latest release, “Aurora,” during the Jazz Bakery’s Movable Feast. Shai Maestro (piano), Karen Malka (vocals), Amos Hoffman (oud) and Itmar Doari (percussion) round out the Avishai Cohen Quintet. Fri. 9:30 p.m. $30-$60. Musicians Institute Concert Hall, 1655 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood. (310) 271-9039. jazzbakery.org.

SAT | OCT 23

(FILM)
West Bank community organizer Ayed Morrar unites his Palestinian village in peaceful protest against the security barrier, which threatens their farmland and cemetery, in the documentary “Budrus.” Director Julia Bacha appears in person for a Q-and-A following today’s screenings at 5 and 7:20 p.m. Sat. Through Oct. 28. Various times. $12 (general), $8 (seniors). Laemmle’s Musical Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 478-3836. laemmle.com.

SUN | OCT 24

(COMEDY)
The Capitol Steps offers “The Lighter Side of Politics” as the D.C.-based troupe brings its brand of bipartisan humor to the Southland with song parodies, skits and stand-up. Sun. 4 p.m. $45. American Jewish University, Gindi Auditorium, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-1246. ajula.edu.

(EXPO)
Plan for your child’s bar or bat mitzvah at the Mitzvahs & More Expo, featuring more than 100 vendors, including caterers, party venues, DJs, invitations, video and photography. While you’re there, plan a trip to the Holy Land during the Israel Travel Show. The Jewish Journal sponsors the event. Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. Live, 900 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 368-1661. mitzvahsandmore.com.

(MITZVAH)
Help improve the world, one block at a time, during Jewlicious’ inaugural Tikkunfest. Volunteers collect clothing and food, aid seniors, plant, paint, repair and clean up along 18 blocks of Pico Boulevard. Then wrap up the day of social action with a concert. Sun. 1-7 p.m. Free ($10 concert ticket fee for nonvolunteers). L.A. Parking Lot 689, 8887 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. tikkunfest.com.

TUE | OCT 26

(LECTURE)
Haaretz senior editor and columnist Bradley Burston discusses “Pro-Mideast in America: Getting Past ‘Pro-Israel’ and ‘Pro-Palestine.’ ” J Street sponsors the event. Tue. 7 p.m. Free. UCLA-The Grand Salon in Kerckhoff Hall, 405 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles. (818) 674-2836. {encode=”serena@jstreet.org” title=”serena@jstreet.org”}.

WED | OCT 27

(LECTURE)
Bambi Sheleg, founding editor of the magazine Eretz Acheret, lectures on “Identities in Transition: Jews and Israelis in the Age of Doubt” at the UCLA Younes & Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies. This evening, she speaks on “The Chief Rabbinate v. The Jewish People,” examining the roles of the Chief Rabbinate and American Jewry in Israeli society, for Temple Beth Am. Wed. Noon-1 p.m. Free. UCLA Younes & Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies, 10383 Bunche Hall, Los Angeles. (310) 825-9646. international.ucla.edu/israel. 7:30 p.m. Free. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7353. tbala.org/israel.

THU | OCT 28

(BOOKS)
The World Champion of the World, actor-comedian Judah Friedlander, signs copies of his instructional and inspirational karate book, “How to Beat Up Anybody.” Sporting a signature trucker hat, oversize glasses, unkempt hair and sideburns, Friedlander is best known as writer Frank Rossitano on “30 Rock.” Thu. 7:30 p.m. Free. Barnes & Noble, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 525-0270. judahfriedlander.com.

(DISCUSSION)
Israeli Consul General Jacob Dayan, alternative energy proponent Daryl Temkin and pro-Israel advocate Roberta Seid discuss “Confronting Israel Delegitimization,”  from the Gaza Flotilla incident to last month’s Time magazine cover story. The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America sponsors the event. Thu. 7:30-10 p.m. $15 (advance), $20 (door). Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel, 11461 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 855-9606. camera.org.

(DISCUSSION)
Howard Roseman (“Father of the Bride”), Laura Bickford (“Che,” “Traffic”), Suzanne De Passe (Steven Spielberg’s upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. project) and Lawrence Gordon (“Watchmen,” “Boogie Nights”) swap stories and examine the past, present and future of the business during “Producers on Producing.” Thu. 7-9:30 p.m. $25. American Jewish University-Gindi Auditorium, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-1548. ajula.edu.