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.
SAT | NOV 6
(THEATER)
Set in the Warsaw Ghetto, “The Survivor” follows a gang of teenagers who learn about love and the value of friendship while smuggling food to their families and arming themselves for the impending uprising. The play stars the descendants of Jewish partisans — Jordan Bielsky, grandson of Tuvia Bielski (portrayed by Daniel Craig in the film “Defiance”), and Gilli Messer, whose grandparents were part of Bielski’s Polish Jewish resistance group, which saved more than more than 1,200 Jews by hiding them in a Belarusian forest. Based on the memoir “Survivor of the Holocaust” by Jack Eisner, the play is written by Susan Nanus and produced by the Santa Monica Synagogue Genesis Arts Council. Sat. Through Nov. 14. 8 p.m. (Nov. 6, 11, 12, 13) and 2 p.m. (Nov. 7, 14). $20. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice. (310) 453-4276. thesms.org.
(COMEDY)
Comedians Betsy Salkind and Monica Piper will have you laughing with their sarcastic wit and political humor during Tickling Adam’s Rib, a night of comedy at Temple Akiba. Sat. 7:30 p.m. $25. 5249 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. (310) 398-5783. templeakiba.net.
SUN | NOV 7
(THEATER)
Today is your last chance to see Ed Asner in “FDR,” a one-man show that follows the iconic president as he reflects on his years in office, from inauguration to World War II. Sun. 2 and 7 p.m. $39-$100. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. (626) 356-7529. pasadenaplayhouse.org.
(LECTURE)
Daniel Mendelsohn, author of “The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million,” delivers the 30th annual Jerome Nemer Lecture, “Finding the Lost: History, Narrative, Memory.” A discussion with Stephen Smith, executive director of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute, and Sharon Gillerman, associate professor of Jewish history at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, follows. Sun. 4:45-7 p.m. Free. University of Southern California, Davidson Conference Center, EmbassyRoom, Los Angeles. (213) 740-1744. college.usc.edu/events.
MON | NOV 8
(BOOKS)
A Q-and-A with comedian Sarah Silverman, author of the memoir, “The Bedwetter,” kicks off the fourth annual Celebration of Jewish Books. Other events include a program with Israeli novelist Naomi Ragen, author of “The Tenth Song” (Nov. 9); a 30th anniversary celebration of “When Bad Things Happen to Good People,” featuring author Rabbi Harold Kushner, Rabbi David Wolpe, Rabbi Naomi Levy and Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson (Nov. 10); and author Judith Viorst (“Unexpectedly Eighty”) appears in conversation with Jewish Journal Managing Editor Susan Freudenheim (Nov. 11). Sarah Silverman: Mon. 7:30 p.m. Through Nov. 14. Program times vary. $20-$45. American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-1548. wcce.ajula.edu.
(DISCUSSION)
Legendary Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim (“West Side Story,” “Sweeney Todd”) takes to the stage to discuss his storied career with KCRW’s Michael Silverblatt. UCLA Live’s “Stephen Sondheim: A Life in the Theatre” celebrates the American master, who turned 80 this year. Mon. 8 p.m. $15 (UCLA students), $43-$88 (general). UCLA Royce Hall, 340 Royce Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 825-2101. uclalive.org.
THU | NOV 11
(SYMPOSIUM)
The 34th annual Catholic-Jewish Women’s Conference, a day of dialogue, music and group discussions, addresses the topic “Who is My Neighbor? Do We Practice What We Preach?” Guest speakers include Rabbi Denise L. Eger, president of Southern California Board of Rabbis, and Cecilia Gonzalez-Andrieu, an assistant professor of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University. Thu. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $25 (students), $40 (general). Costs include breakfast, box lunch and beverages. Wilshire Blvd Temple, 3664 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (818) 884-5532. sites.google.com/site/cjwcla/Home.
(POLITICS)
J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami and other pro-Israel, pro-peace leaders gather tonight for the J Street Los Angeles Kickoff Celebration. Schmooze with J Street L.A. leaders and enjoy a cocktail hour. Thu. 7-9 p.m. Free. Taglyan Cultural Center, 1201 N. Vine St., Hollywood. jstreet.org/losangeles.
(DISCUSSION)
Writer-director Nora Ephron (“I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections”) appears in conversation with screenwriter Robin Swicord (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”). Thu. 7:30 p.m. $20. Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. writersblocpresents.com.
