SAT JAN 27
“WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INTERMARRIAGE”
In 1993, Rabbi Adina Lewittes became the first Canadian woman to be ordained as a Conservative rabbi, but she later left the movement because of her support for interfaith weddings. She delivers an inclusive, text-based and communal conversation on the controversial topic during IKAR’s Saturday morning services and luncheon as part of the Lisa and Maury Friedman Foundation guest speaker series. 9:15 a.m. to noon. Free. Shalhevet High School, 910 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 634-1870. ikar-la.org.
HOOTENANNY COMMUNITY JAM SESSION & POTLUCK
Calling all musicians and lovers of good times! Bring a dish to share and an instrument to play at this potluck get-together. The Silverlake Independent Jewish Community Center (SIJCC) will provide the space and songbook. All ages welcome. Park in the lot, bike or take public transportation. $10 suggested donation. 3-6 p.m. The Box at SIJCC, 1110 Bates Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 663-2255. sijcc.net.
SUN JAN 28
AUTHOR JENNIFER TAITZ BOOK SIGNING
Clinical psychologist and author Jennifer Taitz discusses and signs “How to Be Single and Happy: Science-Based Strategies for Keeping Your Sanity While Looking for a Soul Mate,” an evidence-based guide for single women on how to navigate the stressful world of modern dating. 3 p.m. Free; book, $16. Diesel, A Bookstore, 225 26th St., Santa Monica. (310) 576-9960. dieselbookstore.com.
FREE MUSEUM DAY
Dozens of Southern California institutions are offering free admission, with the goal of whetting the public’s appetite for visiting museums and galleries year round. The event is organized by a group called SoCal Museums, comprising representatives from museums across the L.A. region. Free admission will be offered at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 440-4500, skirball.org; the Museum of Tolerance, 9786 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 772-2505, museumoftolerance.com; and the Zimmer Children’s Museum, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., No. 100, Los Angeles, (323) 761-8984, zimmermuseum.org.
MON JAN 29
“MYSTERIES OF LIFE: DARWINISM VS. INTELLIGENT DESIGN”
A film screening and discussion with Kehillat Ma’arav Rabbi Michael Gottlieb takes place at 7 p.m. $5 donation requested. Kehillat Ma’arav, 1715 21st St., Santa Monica. (310) 529-0566. km-synagogue.org.
THU FEB 1
AN EVENING WITH AUTHOR DAVID FRUM
No conservative has been a more astute, unsparing or courageous critic of President Donald Trump than author David Frum. His upcoming book, “Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic,” is a powerful summation of the case against Trump based on a close reading of his first year in office. Frum is a senior editor at The Atlantic and the author of nine books, including The New York Times best-seller “The Right Man.” From 2001 to 2002, he served as a speechwriter and special assistant to President George W. Bush. 8 p.m. $53 reserved section seat, plus book; $43 general admission, plus book; $20 general admission.
Ann and Jerry Moss Theatre, New Roads School, Herb Alpert Educational Village, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica. livetalksla.org.
Tu B’Shevat
SAT JAN 27
“TU B’SHEVAT IN 3-D”
Daven, drash and dine at a community seder sponsored by Kehillat Ma’arav. All welcome. Free. 9:30–10:30 a.m. Kehillat Ma’arav, 1715 21st St., Santa Monica. (310) 839-0566. km-synagogue.org.
TU B’SHEVAT HIKE
Adat Ari El Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe Bernhard and his Conservative synagogue community connect with nature and its blessings during an afternoon Tu B’Shevat hike. 2 p.m. Free. Tree People, 12601 Mulholland Drive, Beverly Hills. (818) 766-9426. adatariel.org.
SUN JAN 28
“CELEBRATE TOGETHER”: A TU B’SHEVAT EVENT
Member families from Leo Baeck Temple, Kehillat Israel and Temple Isaiah gather to celebrate and learn about Tu B’Shevat, Israel’s Arbor Day. Guests can hike, stroll, create crafts inspired by nature, learn about composting, participate in guided meditation, try creative writing and learn what Judaism says about being stewards for our planet. 9-11:30 a.m. Free. Temescal Canyon Park, 15900 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades (enter at the intersection of Temescal Canyon and Sunset Boulevard and follow the “Celebrate Together” signs). Limited parking at site, with additional parking on Sunset Boulevard. ourki.org.
TU B’SHEVAT CELEBRATION OF THE TREES
Pico-Robertson community Young Israel of Century City (YICC) brings together its modern Orthodox families for a morning of arts and crafts, tree planting, a mini-seder and more. For parents, YICC Associate Rabbi James Proops delivers a lecture titled “Planting and Building Our Children.” 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Young Israel of Century City, 9317 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 273-6954. yicc.org.
TU B’SHEVAT FAMILY FUN DAY 2018
Bring the family to celebrate the “birthday of the trees” at the Shalom Institute in Malibu. The festivities include Tu B’Shevat nature crafts, farming fun for toddlers, tree planting, rope making, outdoor pita cooking and more. Lunch will be served in the dining hall; a Tu B’Shevat singalong will put everyone in the spirit of the holiday; and a ropes course will offer a test of physical fitness. Held on 220 wooded acres, this get-together is a can’t-miss for those with little ones who want to get into the holiday spirit. 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $10; kids 6 and younger, free. Shalom Institute, 34342 Mulholland Highway, Malibu. (818) 889-5500. shalominstitute.com.
ANNUAL WJCC TU B’SHEVAT FESTIVAL
The Westside Jewish Community Center welcomes guests to celebrate the “birthday of the trees.” There will be a silent auction, food, games, crafts, a bounce house, farmers market, photo booth and puppy party. Guests who live or own property in the city of Los Angeles can take home a free fruit or shade tree, courtesy of City Plants (verification by driver’s license, ID or DWP bill; trees must be planted on private property). Rain or shine. Free. 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (323) 556-5250. westsidejcc.org.
WED JAN 31
KABBALISTIC TU B’SHEVAT SEDER
Many years ago in the ancient city of Tzfat, a group of kabbalists uncovered the
mystical secrets of Tu B’Shevat. They revealed these mystical secrets in a ceremony
patterned after the Passover seder and observed this ritual on the night of Tu B’Shevat, the 15th of Shevat. Join Pico Shul for a memorable excursion into the mystical
realm of the holiday through this unique seder. Rabbi Yonah Bookstein has written
text for the event based on the ancient seder recited by the kabbalists in Tzfat
centuries ago. 7–10 p.m. $18 for young professionals, $36 for general admission.
Reservations are recommended as space is limited. Pico Shul, 9116 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. picoshul.org.
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