Calendar Picks and Clicks: Nov. 4-10, 2011

SUN | NOV 6

MITZVAH DAY
Jews across the San Fernando and Conejo valleys join together all day Sunday for a common goal — to give back to the community. Mitzvah Day represents an opportunity for the entire family to help others through serving meals, gathering toys, donating blood, learning CPR, knitting blankets for babies, reading to children and more. Sponsored by The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance in partnership with local Jewish institutions. Contact your local synagogue or any Jewish social service agency to learn what community service projects are happening near you. For more information, call (818) 464-3203, visit jewishla.org or search for “Mitzvah Day 2011 — The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance” on Facebook.

“FOOTNOTE”
A top winner at the Ophir Awards, “Footnote” (“Hearat Shulayim”) is Israel’s submission for best foreign-language film in the coming Oscar race. Director Joseph Cedar follows a power struggle in the Talmud department at Hebrew University between rival scholars Eliezer, a meticulous researcher who has never received the recognition he deserves, and his son Uriel, a gregarious rising star. Cedar’s follow-up to the Oscar-nominated Israeli war film “Beaufort” (2007), “Footnote” screens today at AFI Fest. Sun. 3:30 p.m. Free (register for tickets online or in person at the AT&T Box Office at Hollywood & Highland Center, Suite 219). Chinese 6 Theatres, Hollywood and Highland Center, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. afi.com.

“WOMEN HOLD UP HALF THE SKY”
Jewish World Watch representatives discuss their organization’s work helping women in impoverished and socially threatening conditions, locally and worldwide. The program coincides with an exhibition at the Skirball Cultural Center, featuring photography and graphics that address how women have persevered in the face of sex trafficking, gender-based violence and maternal mortality in the developing world. Sun. 2:30 p.m. $10 (general), $7 (seniors and full-time students), $5 (children, 2 to 12), free (members and children, 2 and under). Includes admission to the Skirball. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.
 
SURVIVOR MITZVAH PROJECT
Film and television actors, including Lainie Kazan, Frances Fisher, Valerie Harper and Alan Rosenberg, read Holocaust survivors’ stories, personal letters and testimonials. Their goal: to raise emergency aid for The Survivor Mitzvah Project, a Los Angeles-based organization that provides assistance to Holocaust survivors living in Eastern Europe. An hors d’oeuvres reception kicks off the event. Sun. 4-6 p.m. Free (RSVP required). Private residence. (800) 905-6160. survivormitzvah.org.

FASHION WITH COMPASSION
Milken Community High Students present a charity fashion show to benefit Friends of Eliya, an Israeli based program which provides care for blind or visually impaired children. Sun. Boutique opens at 11 a.m. Show begins at 12 p.m. Stephen S. Wise Temple. Zeldin-Hershenson Hall.  15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90077. wisela.org/fashionwithcompassion.

MON | NOV 7

PROFESSOR GERALD B. BUBIS LECTURE
Marwan Muasher, the first Jordanian ambassador to Israel, delivers the keynote address, “Peace-making in the Changing Middle East,” during an event honoring Gerald Bubis, former national co-chair of Americans for Peace Now. A prelecture dinner and special presentation highlighting Bubis’ work inaugurates what is expected to become an annual event. Mon. 6 p.m. (dinner and presentation), 7:30 p.m. (lecture). Free (lecture). $75 (dinner). Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (323) 934-3480. peacenow.org.

THU | NOV 10

DEBORAH LIPSTADT
AJU President Robert Wexler talks with Emory University professor Lipstadt about her critically acclaimed book “The Eichmann Trial,” an examination of the court proceedings following Israel’s capture of Adolf Eichmann and the implications of the SS officer’s execution. Part of the fifth annual Celebration of Jewish Books. Thu. 7:30 p.m. $20. American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-1246. ajula.edu/cjb.

RICHARD DREYFUSS AND CHRIS MATTHEWS
The Oscar-winning actor and the host of MSNBC’s “Hardball” discuss “Jack Kennedy, Elusive Hero,” Matthews’ new biography of John F. Kennedy, for Writers Bloc. Thu. 7:30 p.m. $20. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 300 N. Clark Drive, Beverly Hills. writersblocpresents.com.
 
MIRI MESIKA
An actress and judge on “A Star Is Born” (Israel’s “American Idol”), and voted Israel’s 2011 Singer of the Year for the third time in six years, Mesika — whose blend of Hebrew lyrics, Western pop and Arabic music have made her one of Israel’s most beloved singers — comes to Southern California with her five-piece band in support of her new album, “Melech (King).” Presented by American-Israeli dance company Keshet Chaim Dance Company and Teev Events. Thu. 8 p.m. $35-$100. Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 W. Eighth St., Los Angeles. (818) 986-7332 or (323) 939-1128. kcdancers.org.

FRI | NOV 11

“ON HOLY GROUND”
As the playwright-in-residence for Jewish World Watch, Stephanie Liss is well versed in Israeli history and foreign affairs. In her latest two-act play, she examines the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the perspectives of three women: Henrietta Szold, co-founder of Hadassah; Shula, an Orthodox Jewish woman who has lost her daughter in a terrorist bombing in Efrat; and Reim, the Palestinian mother of the bomber. Fri. Through Dec. 18. 8 p.m. $15. MET Theatre, Great Scott Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 957-1152. themettheatre.com.