Calendar Picks and Clicks: October 5-October 13

Pick of the week: Thursday, October 13

INDIA.ARIE AND IDAN RAICHEL

Israel’s Raichel, a renowned world musician, joins Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Arie to perform songs from their new album, “Open Door.” Expect soulful vocals about social unity (in Hebrew and English), and a healthy fusion of pop, folk and r&b. Thu. 8 p.m. $30-$50. Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 343-6600. luckmanarts.org.

WED | OCT 5

NANCY SILVERTON AND EVAN KLEIMAN
Celebrity chef Silverton discusses her new book, “The Mozza Cookbook: Recipes From Los Angeles’s Favorite Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria,” with Kleiman, host of KCRW’s “Good Food.” A Q-and-A and book signing follow. Wed. 8 p.m. Free (advance reservations recommended). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

SAT | OCT 8

“GOLDEN STATES OF GRACE”
Beit T’Shuvah residents, incarcerated Zen Buddhists and a transgender gospel choir are among the subjects in photographer Rick Nahmias’ photodocumentary exhibition, “Golden States of Grace: Prayers of the Disinherited.” Nahmias examines 11 socially marginalized religious groups in California, giving voice to communities on the fringes while validating their spirituality. Sat. Through Nov. 13. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (Sat., Sun.), 4-8 p.m. (Wed., Fri.), 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Thu.). Free. First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, Shatto Chapel, 540 S. Commonwealth Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 355-5235. fccla.org/goldenstatesofgrace.

“A NEW MOMENT FOR ISRAEL?”
David Siegel, the new consul general of Israel in Los Angeles, and Arieh Saposnik, the director of the UCLA Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies, discuss “A New Moment for Israel? What Are Israelis Asking of Their Government and Why It Matters to American Jews.” The conversation follows morning Yom Kippur services and is open to the public. Sat. 2:45-4:15 p.m. Free. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, Bess P. Maltz Center, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (310) 276-9776. tebh.org.
 

SUN | OCT 9

“SAVING THE SAFETY NET: CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES”
Progressive Jewish Alliance & Jewish Funds for Justice’s Valley Salon Series hosts Rep. Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), who shares her insider’s view on the challenges to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and disaster relief in the name of deficit reduction. Sun. 10 a.m. (brunch), 10:45 a.m. (program). $10 (requested donation). Private home in Encino. (323) 761-8350. pjalliance.org.

EXTREME SUKKAH MAKEOVER
Join the San Fernando Valley Moishe House, a communal home for young adult Jewish leaders, to build a sukkah for the harvest holiday. Organized by Birthright Israel NEXT and Moishe House, a dinner under the stars follows the construction. Every attendee is asked to bring at least one can of food for SOVA. Sun. 3-7 p.m. Free. Moishe House San Fernando Valley, 13741 Bessemer St., Van Nuys. (310) 601-7878. losangeles.birthrightisrael.com.

“PORTALS”
Violinist Tim Fain performs Philip Glass’ “Partita for Solo Violin,” inspired by Leonard Cohen’s “Book of Longing,” as the centerpiece of this multimedia program. Examining the hunger for connection in the digital age, the 90-minute on-stage dialogue blends music, video, electronics and dance. The evening features compositions by Aaron Jay Kernis, Nico Muhly, Kevin Puts and Lev Zhurbin, a film by Kate Hackett and choreography by Benjamin Millepied (“Black Swan”). Sun. 4 p.m. $47-$75. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. (310) 434-3200. thebroadstage.com.

THU | OCT 13

GABRIEL KAHANE
The New York City-based songwriter performs in support of his recently released album, “Where Are the Arms,” a collection of modern folk-pop songs. Classical music ensemble the Calder Quartet accompanies Kahane, who was born in Venice Beach and raised on both coasts. Thu. 8 p.m. $25. Largo at the Coronet, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 855-0350. largo-la.com.
 
“ORNAMENT OF THE WORLD”
Soprano choral trio Voxfire and Arabic music ensemble Kan Zaman join together to explore the song tradition of medieval Spain, when Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities lived among each other in relative peace. The performers evoke the wistful and plaintive longing of Jewish Sephardic romances, the sensuous poetry of Arabic ring-songs, the religious fervor of Spanish cantigas and more. Part of the fifth annual World Festival of Sacred Music, the program draws inspiration from Maria Rosa Menocal’s 2002 book, “Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain.” Thu. 8-10 p.m. $8 (students), $10 (general). St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, 514 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 747-6285. festivalofsacredmusic.org.