Calendar Picks and Clicks: Oct. 28-Nov. 5, 2010

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.

SAT | OCT 30

(BOOKS)
The San Gabriel and Pomona valleys’ 12th annual Jewish Book Festival opens tonight with Sheryll Bellman discussing her travelogue and recipe book, “America’s Great Delis: Recipes & Traditions From Coast to Coast,” at Temple Beth Israel. Other scheduled appearances include Annie Korzen (“Bargain Junkie: Living the Good Life on the Cheap”), Nov. 3, Temple Beth Israel; Rabbi Naomi Levy (“Hope Will Find You”), Nov. 4, Temple Ami Shalom; Robert K. Tanenbaum (“Betrayed”), Nov. 7, Beth Shalom of Whittier; and Jake Ehrenreich (“A Jew Grows in Brooklyn”), Nov. 20, Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center. Sheryll Bellman: Sat. 7:30 p.m. $18 (advance), $20 (door). Temple Beth Israel, 3033 N. Towne Ave., Pomona. Through Nov. 30. Various times, locations and prices for other appearances. (626) 445-0810. jewishsgpv.org.

SUN | OCT 31

(MUSIC)
Shir Ba’Ir (Song in the City), an a cappella group that includes precantorial students and composers, sings traditional and original Jewish-themed music. Sun. 2 p.m. $12. Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake Ave., Altadena. (626) 794-2424. coffeegallery.com.

(MITZVAH)
L.A. Cancer Challenge 2010, a 5/10k run/walk, benefits the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Halloween fun for racers and supporters includes a pumpkin pancake breakfast, costume contest and kids fair. Sun. 7:30 a.m. (10k), 9 a.m. (5k). $15-$75. Veterans Administration Grounds, Eisenhower Gate (off San Vicente Boulevard), 11310 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 473-5121. lacancerchallenge.com.

MON | NOV 1

(EDUCATION)
Explore what Judaism says about a proper diet and table manners, the zodiac and maximizing your love potential at Jewlosophy , where other workshops will include heroines in the Torah, an Israel history crash course and an in-depth look at kosher fundamentals. Mon. 7 p.m. Free (registration required). Nessah Synagogue, 142 S. Rexford Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 273-2400. jewlosophy.com.

TUE | NOV 2

(BOOKS)
Novelist Nicole Krauss (“Great House”) appears in conversation with Michael Silverblatt, host of KCRW’s “Bookworm.” Tue. 7 p.m. Free. Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., downtown. (213) 228-7500. lfla.org.

WED | NOV 3

(DISCUSSION)
Four leaders share how their groups have organized community and promoted visibility and understanding for LGBTQ Orthodox Jews in Israel. During A Wider Bridge’s Israeli, Orthodox and Gay, Asaf Lebovitz (Havruta), Bracha Koren-Haftke (Bat Kol), Eyal Liebermann (Shoval) and Zehorit Sorek (The Pride Minyan) discuss the successes and the challenges of forging new ground in Israeli society. Wed. 7 p.m. Free. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. awiderbridge.org.

THU | NOV 4

(FILM)
AFI Fest 2010 screens nearly 100 features and shorts, including “Casino Jack,” featuring Kevin Spacey in the role of jailed Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff; “Black Swan,” director Darren Aronofsky’s psychological thriller starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis; Israeli director Eran Riklis’ “The Human Resources Manager”; and “Precious Life,” a documentary about a Palestinian boy who needs a bone marrow transplant and the Israeli and Palestinian doctors who treat him. Thu. Through Nov. 11. Free. Various times and locations. (866) 234-3378. afi.com.

(MUSIC)
Grammy-nominated Jewish rapper Drake brings his top-selling Light Dreams and Nightmares Tour to the Southland. His first studio album, “Thank Me Later,” debuted No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in June and was certified platinum one month later. Thu. 8:15 p.m. $57.35-$83.20. Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. livenation.com.

FRI | NOV 5

(SHABBAT)
Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills hosts Synaplex, featuring Columbia University journalism professor Todd Gitlin discussing his book “The Chosen Peoples: America, Israel and the Ordeals of Divine Election”; a musical Shabbat Unplugged service; Shabbat Uncorked, an opportunity for young professionals to mingle; a family dinner; youth mitzvah projects; Tot Shabbat; and babysitting. Fri. 6-9:30 p.m. Free. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737, ext. 235. tebh.org.