Calendar Picks and Clicks: December 4-December 9

Pick of the Week: Sunday, December 4

“IMAGINING OUR JEWISH FUTURE”
Hundreds of rabbis and Jewish scholars participate in discussions, panels, text study and presentations during this “Day of Jewish Learning and Culture.” The event concludes with a concert celebrating the words and music of Leonard Cohen. Sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Sun. 11 a.m. (registration), noon-6 p.m. (program). $36 (adults), $18 (adults, 30 and under; seniors). Sheraton Universal Hotel, 333 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City. (323) 761-8000. jewishla.org.

TUE | NOV 29

TOM BROKAW AND MARTY KAPLAN
The veteran broadcaster discusses his recently released book, “The Time of Our Lives,” which raises questions about our relationship to our communities and our country, with Jewish Journal columnist Marty Kaplan. Tue. 7:30 p.m. $20. Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. writersblocpresents.com.

THU | DEC 1

“THEY WERE AMONG US: REMBERING 30 YEARS OF AIDS”
Beth Chayim Chadashim and Project Chicken Soup co-sponsor a program of history, testimony and memory on World AIDS Day, featuring people who experienced the early years of AIDS, including long-term survivors, physicians, activists, writers and performers. Buffet, beverages and no-host bar. Thu. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free (reservation required). ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, 909 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 931-7023. oneworldaidsday2011.org.

FRI | DEC 2

IT’S A GUY THING: A WEEKEND RETREAT
Eighth- and ninth-grade boys and the men who raise them unplug from their busy lives for some bonding time during this weekend retreat in Simi Valley. Fri. Through Dec. 4. $150 (per adult/teen pair). Brandeis-Bardin Campus of the American Jewish University, 1101 Pepper Tree Lane, Simi Valley. (323) 761-8243. jewishla.org/guything.

SOUL SOUNDS SHABBAT
Shabbat is hardly ever this eclectic. South American bossa nova and Sephardic music collide with jazz, rock, folk and classical sounds during this musical Shabbat experience at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. If you really want to complete the experience, you’re going to have to eat: Visit the synagogue’s Web site and order a picnic dinner from Factor’s Deli in advance of the event. 6 p.m. Free (picnic dinner not included). Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Irmas Campus, 11661 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 445-1280. wilshireboulevardtemple.org.

SUN | DEC 4

WALK OF AGES XII
Join or cheer on the annual 5K walk/run, which raises funds that directly benefit residents of the Los Angeles Jewish Home. The family-oriented event includes food, music, clowns and magicians. Sun. 7-8 a.m. (registration), 8:30-10 a.m. (5K), 9:30-10:30 a.m. (awards ceremony). Free. Jewish Home’s Eisenberg Village Campus, 18855 Victory Blvd., Reseda. (818) 774-3344. walkofages.kintera.org.
 
CLOTHING GIVEAWAY
The National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles (NCJW/LA) distributes clothing to in-need and at-risk individuals during its annual clothing giveaway. NCJW/LA expects to distribute 70,000 pieces of clothing for women, men and children, as well as children’s books. Stop by the tables for NCJW/LA’s community resource fair. Volunteers are needed to organize clothing and staff tables. Sun. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (event). Volunteer shifts include: Dec. 3: 8 a.m.-noon; Dec. 4: 7-10:15 a.m.; Dec. 4: 9:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Free. NCJW/LA Council House, Parking Lot, 543 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 651-2930. ncjwla.org.
 
FAMILY SCIENCE DISCOVERY DAY
Ilan Ramon Day School hosts a day of science activities for the whole family (children preschool-fifth grade) with hands-on projects, including a wind tunnel, fishing with magnets and a microscope station, a live show with Reptile People and a Student Invention Exhibition. Worried all this learning will make your kids hungry? A kosher food truck will be on site. Sun. 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Ilan Ramon Day School, 27400 Canwood St., Agoura. (818) 707-2365. ilanramondayschool.com.

DREIDEL-MANIA
Officials from Guinness World Records will be on hand to judge as attendees attempt to break the record for the number of dreidels spinning at the same time (for a minimum of 10 seconds). So come by and enjoy entertainment, kosher food, children’s activities and the (hopefully) record-breaking spin. Presented by Sinai Temple in partnership with The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Dreidels provided. Sun. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free (RSVP requested). Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 481-3273. facebook.com/sinai.dreidelmania.

MON | DEC 5

Nourishment of the Soul
Shimona Tzukernik, an international lecturer on kabbalah, joins weight-loss coach Miriam Wiener to discuss “uncovering the hidden secrets to permanent weight loss.” During this two-hour event for women only, Tzukernik and Wiener will address the kabbalah behind nutrition and the spiritual forces that drive a desire for food as well as offer tools and techniques to address cravings. The event will also stream online. Mon. 10 a.m. $36 (live), $10 (online). Private home in the Beverly/La Brea area. RSVP online for location. (800) 647-5674. kosherforlife.com/nourishmentofthesoul.html.  

TUE | DEC 6

AMBASSADOR JOHN BOLTON
The author of “Surrender Is Not an Option” appears in conversation with Rabbi David Woznica. An outspoken advocate against a nuclear Iran, Bolton writes frequently for The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. The event is part of Stephen S. Wise Temple’s Center for Jewish Life series of lectures, dialogues and courses. Tue. 7:30 p.m. $15. Stephen S. Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 476-8561. wisela.org.

 
THU | DEC 8

“MAKING THE OIL LAST”
Kehillat Israel examines solutions for energy sustainability, hosting a film screening of “Burning the Future: Coal in America” and a conversation with David Nahai, senior adviser to the Clinton Climate Initiative and former CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Thu. 7-9 p.m. Free. Kehillat Israel, 16019 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2328. kehillatisrael.org.

FRI | DEC 9

“IN DARKNESS”
Director Agnieszka Holland adapts this true Holocaust story about Leopold Socha, a sewer worker and petty thief who hides a group of Jews beneath the Nazi-occupied city of Lvov, Poland, in exchange for money. But what begins as a business transaction between Socha and the Jews turns into an unlikely alliance. Fri. Various times. $11 (general), $8 (children, under 12), $8 (seniors). Laemmle’s Royal Theatre, 11523 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 478-3836. laemmle.com.