FRI MAY 4
KLAL: CELEBRATION OF JEWISH ANGELENO CULTURE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Join Los Angeles City Councilmembers David Ryu (Fourth District), Bob Blumenfield (Third District), Mitchell Englander (12th District), Paul Koretz (Fifth District) and Paul Krekorian (Second District) for a presentation and tours honoring Jewish civic engagement in Los Angeles’ rich history. KlezMexKo, a Jewish klezmer, Latin and Korean band, will perform. Sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, the Jewish Historical Society of Southern California and the UCLA Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies. Arrive by 9:30 a.m. to allow parking on Los Angeles Street. Presentation, 10 a.m.; reception and docent-led tours, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. RSVP required through davidryu.lacity.org. Print out flyer at davidryu.lacity.org for free parking pass for under City Hall East. City Hall Chambers, third floor, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles.
SAT MAY 5
RABBI LAWRENCE KELEMEN
Anshe Emes Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen will speak. He is an author and founder and current Rosh Kollel of the Center for Kehilla Development, a leadership development project devoted to the growth and well-being of Jewish communities around the world. After Shachris Kiddush, 11:15 a.m.; during Shalosh Suedos, 7:20 p.m. Free, limited seating. Anshe Emes Synagogue, 1490 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 275-5640. anshe.org.
SUN MAY 6
CELEBRATE ISRAEL FESTIVAL
The Celebrate Israel Festival — the self-described largest Jewish happening in Los Angeles — marks “70 Years of Zionism, Innovation and Entrepreneurship” since Israel’s establishment in 1948. More than 15,000 members of the pro-Israel community are expected to turn out for a daylong gathering of live entertainment, interactive activities, culture, food and art. The event kicks off with an Israel solidarity walk; participants will have the opportunity to show their love for Israel as they walk for one mile on Pico Boulevard. Later in the day, Israeli pop duo Static and Ben El headlines the main stage. Additional highlights include a performance by the Machol Lohet Dance Ensemble from Israel; an exhibition on Israeli startups created by Taglit-Birthright Israel; the IAC Lead Bar for young professionals; Safari Ramat Gan, featuring camel rides, pony rides and a massive petting zoo for all ages; and kosher food. Noon-7 p.m. $30 door; $20 advance. Rancho Park, Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, 2551 Motor Ave., Los Angeles. People assemble for Israel solidarity walk at 10:30 a.m. at 2551 Motor Ave. (818) 451-1201. celebrateisraelfestival.org/la
HOOPS 4 HOPE
For the first time, Hoops 4 Hope, a 3-on-3 men’s basketball tournament benefiting Ateres Avigail: Jewish Healthcare Support Association of Los Angeles, features a junior tournament for 10- to 14-year-olds. The grand prize for each of the three winning junior teams will be to play against the Los Angeles Lakers’ Lonzo Ball, Julius Randle and Kyle Kuzma in 3-on-3 matchups. Former Laker Metta World Peace will coach winning teams. The event supports Jews in the Los Angeles area facing medical crises. 2:30 p.m. Free. Pan Pacific Recreation Center. 7600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 937-8300. ateresavigail.org/marathon.
“PRIMO LEVY: FOR THE PUBLIC”
International scholars and writers engaged with the history, literature and impact of chemist, writer and Holocaust survivor Primo Levi will gather for a half-day symposium. Participants will celebrate the publication (in 2015) of Levi’s complete works in English, translated by Ann Goldstein, and probe Levi’s literary, philosophical and historical legacy. Featuring UCLA’s Todd Samuel Presner, Michael Rothberg, Sarah Abrevaya Stein. Sponsored by the UCLA Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free, but registration required. UCLA Faculty Center, 480 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles. (310) 267-5327. cjs.ucla.edu.
WALK TO END GENOCIDE
Seeking to bring wider attention to ongoing atrocities in countries including Sudan, Syria, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jewish World Watch holds its sixth annual Walk to End Genocide in the Conejo Valley. The walk not only is intended to educate surrounding communities but to motivate them to act and to participate in activism. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $18-$36. Free for children 4 and younger. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. (818) 501-1836. jww.org.
LOST CEMETERIES OF LOS ANGELES
Traveling upward from the Los Angeles Plaza to the Cemetery Ravine near Dodger Stadium and back down to level ground, a walking tour of four of the lost cemeteries of Los Angeles stops at what is known as the Old Jewish Cemetery, adjacent to the ballpark. Blogger Shmuel Gonzalez, a.k.a. Boychik Barrio, leads the three-mile round trip that highlights sites and stories of the often-untold multicultural history of early Los Angeles. Noon-2:30 p.m. $20. Meet at the LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes bookshop, La Tienda, 501 N. Main St., Los Angeles. eventbrite.com.
SUNDAYS WITH CAMP ALONIM
The vast and deeply green 2,700 acres of the historic Brandeis-Bardin campus of American Jewish University in the Simi Valley forms the backdrop for Sundays in the Park with Camp Alonim. Parents and others considering attending summer camp there are invited to tour the grounds, visit with camp directors and experience Alonim’s crafts, swimming, music, horseback riding and ropes activities. Kosher food will be available. Noon-4 p.m. Free. Reservations recommended but walk-ins welcome. Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University, 1101 Peppertree Lane, Simi Valley. (805) 915-0736. alonim.com.
MUSLIM-JEWISH ART-MAKING SALON
Get creative in a multi-faith, collaborative environment as Muslim and Jewish participants come together to have fun and get to know one another through the process of making art. No expectations and no artistic talent required. Presented by NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Free. South Main Street at West Sixth Street, Los Angeles (exact address given upon RSVP). mjartmakingsalon.wordpress.com.
“MONSIEUR IBRAHIM AND THE FLOWERS OF THE KORAN”
The play “Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran” has been produced in 13 countries all over the world, been published in 12 languages and is studied in schools. The play, set in 1960s Paris, is about the story of a young Jewish boy, Moses, who is caught stealing from a wise, old shopkeeper, Monsieur Ibrahim. Together, they embark on a life-altering journey. Starring the playwright, Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt. In French with English subtitles. Made possible with the support of the Alliance Française of Los Angeles, the Belgium Consulate in Los Angeles and Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles. 7:30 p.m. $20 students, $35 adults. Theatre Raymond Kabbaz, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 286-0553. theatreraymondkabbaz.com.
CATHOLIC-JEWISH WOMEN’S DIALOGUE
Rabbi Leah Lewis of Temple Menorah in Long Beach and Religious Sister of Charity Sister Edith Prendergast discuss “Living Your Faith in a Secular World: Challenges and Rewards.” The aim of the event is to promote friendships, develop understanding and foster mutual respect. Congregation Ner Tamid of South Bay and Temple Beth El in San Pedro participate. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $30. Continental breakfast from 8-9:30 a.m. Box lunch and beverages included in the cost. Temple Beth El, 1435 W. Seventh St., San Pedro. (310) 213-5819. cjwdsb.com.
WED MAY 9
SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN
Former Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the Democratic nominee for vice president of the United States in the 2000 election, discusses Israel, the Middle East and domestic Jewish identity, including the challenges and opportunities facing the Jewish-American community. A panel discussion follows with Sephardic Temple Senior Rabbi Tal Sessler and Jewish Journal Editor-in-Chief David Suissa. 6:30 p.m. $12 Sephardic Temple members; $18 general. Sephardic Temple, 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 475-7000. sephardictemple.org.
THU MAY 10
“WANDERING JEW”
Hebrew University of Jerusalem Professor Galit Hasan-Rokem explores “Is the Wandering Jew in Contemporary Israeli Literature a Paradox?” She addresses the disputed question of whether the Wandering Jew of literary lore still exists and discusses how even more surprising than the presence of the Wandering Jew in contemporary literature is his prominence in Israeli novels 70 years after the birth of Israel. 4-6 p.m. Free. Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies, UCLA Faculty Center, 480 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles. (310) 267-5327. cjs.ucla.edu/rsvp-to-event.
REFORM JUDAISM PANEL
Rabbi Aaron Panken, president of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR); Josh Holo, dean of the Los Angeles campus of HUC-JIR; Rabbi Dvora Weisberg, professor of rabbinics and director of the school of rabbinic studies at HUC-JIR in Los Angeles; and Stephen Wise Temple Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback discuss “Reform Judaism: An Exploration of Our Role and our Future.” The panel assesses the Reform movement and its role in shaping the future. Stephen Wise Temple Senior Rabbi David Woznica moderates. 7:30 p.m. $15. Stephen Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 476-8561. wisela.org/cjl.
“JEWS OF CUBA”
An evening exploring Jews of Cuba features special guest speakers, a “Taste of Cuba” reception and a Q-and-A. Speakers are Sylvia Purchuk, who will present the story of her parents’ experiences in Cuba; Stacie Klein, who will discuss the role of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee in Cuba; and Kehillat Israel Rabbi Amy Bernstein, who will talk about her trip to Cuba, including her experiences meeting Cuban Jewish leaders. 7 p.m. $10. Kehillat Israel, 16019 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2328. ourki.org/event/jews-of-cuba.
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