THU | JAN 6
(CURRENT EVENTS)
Reza Aslan, the Iranian American author of “No god but God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam” and editor of the recently released anthology “Tablet and Pen: Literary Landscapes From the Modern Middle East,” lectures on “Iran, Israel and The U.S.: Conflict or Cooperation?” Afterward, he discusses the topic with Sinai Temple’s Rabbi David Wolpe and signs copies of his books. Thu. 7:30 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. (310) 474-1518. sinaitemple.org.
FRI | JAN 7
(RELATIONSHIPS)
Learn the characteristics of a healthy relationship as therapist Karen Kass leads a discussion during Marriage, Myths & Martinis. Shabbat chicken dinner is included, a vegetarian option available. Fri. 6:30 p.m. (Shabbat service), 7:30 p.m. (dinner). $36 (per couple). Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-2384. tbala.org.
SAT | JAN 8
(MUSIC)
Kol Echad, Milken high school’s a cappella group, performs a benefit concert to raise funds for the Israeli orphans of Yemin Orde Youth Village, who lost their homes in the recent Carmel Fire. Sat. 7:30 p.m. $10-$36 (VIP packages also available). Robert Margolis Theatre, Milken Community High School, 15800 Zeldins Way, Los Angeles. (310) 440-3500. milkenschool.org/onevoice.
SUN | JAN 9
(SYMPOSIUM)
Celebrate the life and work of Avraham Sutzkever, a Yiddish poet who helped form the avant-garde literary group known as Yung Vilne (Young Vilnius) in the 1930s. Sutzkever’s works chronicled his childhood in Siberia, his life in the Vilna Ghetto during World War II and his escape to join Jewish partisans. “Celebrating Sutzkever” features a keynote and discussion with Harvard’s Sutzkeva scholar Ruth Wisse, a family concert with youth choirs from Valley Beth Shalom and New Community Jewish High School as well as an evening concert that includes chamber music and art songs by Lithuanian composer Anatolijus Senderovas and Israeli German composer Gilead Mishory. A newly commissioned work for soprano and chamber ensemble by David Lefkowitz, UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music composition chair, will premiere at the event. Sun. 2:30 p.m. Free. (Dinner available for $10). American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-1279. ajula.edu.
(GENEALOGY)
Got a grifter grandparent in your family tree? Ron Aron, author of “The Jews of Sing Sing” and the new book “Wanted: U.S. Criminal Records Sources & Research Methodology,” shows you how to track down your jailbird relatives, access their records and put their mug shots up on your Facebook page during “Wrongful (W)rascals of the West: Researching Jewish Criminals and Black Sheep Relatives.” Sun. 1:30 p.m. Free (Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles members), $5 (guests). University Synagogue, 11960 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. jgsla.org.
MON | JAN 10
(EDUCATION)
“Outside the Classroom,” the 31st annual BJE Bebe Feuerstein Simon Early Childhood Institute, focuses on the child-directed Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education and ways to help children connect with nature. Topics include “Jewish Connections to Nature and the Outdoor Classroom,” “Everything You Do Indoors Can Be Done Outdoors” and “Using Great Literature to Connect Children to Their Feelings.” The director and teachers from the host school, Adat Ari El, which is Reggio inspired and features an outdoor classroom, will be available to discuss adapting the approach for other early childhood centers. Mon. 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $100. Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (323) 761-8635. bjela.org.
WED | JAN 12
(ISRAEL)ALOUD at Central Library’s Interfaith Series features “I Shall Not Hate” author Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Gazan fertility specialist who lost three of his daughters during Operation Cast Lead in 2009, appears in conversation with Washington Post journalist Laura Blumenfeld, author of “Revenge: A Story of a Hope.” In her memoir, Blumenfeld recounts her search for the Palestinian man who shot her father while he was visiting Israel. Wed. 7 p.m. Free. Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles. (213) 228-7025. lfla.org.
THU | JAN 13
(POLITICS)
The National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles (NCJW/LA) hosts a discussion with Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who will offer “An Inside Report … What’s Happening on the Hill.” Thu. 1-2:30 p.m. Free. NCJW/LA Council House, 543 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 852-8503. ncjwla.org.
(MUSIC)
Tufts University’s co-ed Jewish a cappella group Shir Appeal, which sings Jewish folks songs, Israeli rock, liturgical music and American songs with Jewish themes, performs at Temple Akiba. Thu. 7:30 p.m. $20. Temple Akiba, 5249 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. (310) 398-5873. templeakiba.net.
FRI | JAN 14
(SHABBAT)
Rabbis, reverends and artists lead a musical Unity Shabbat service at Sinai Temple in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Special guests include the Rev. Mark Whitlock of the COR AME Church, the Rev. Jeffrey R. Thomas of Skid Row’s Central City Community Church, and journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, who leads a discussion on “Faith and Future in the Middle East.” Following the service, attendees can participate in a peanut butter-and-jelly assembly line to make sandwiches that will be given out to the homeless. And ATID hosts the ATID LOUNGE for 20- and 30-somethings. Fri. 7:30 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518. sinaitemple.org.
