What’s Happening: National Conference, Taste of Israel

FRI JUNE 1

(RE)VISION: EXPERIMENTS & DREAMS FROM EMERGING JEWISH COMMUNITIES
The Jewish Emergent Network — an organization composed of seven Jewish communities from throughout the United States, including IKAR in Los Angeles — holds its inaugural public conference, a three-day event facilitating engagement in Torah and learning, justice and moral leadership, prayer and ritual, and inclusion and community models. Open to rabbis, cantors, Jewish professionals, lay leaders, academics, philanthropists, activists and interested Jews. The conference begins at 8 a.m. Friday with an optional Shacharit and a welcome breakfast at 9 a.m.; it adjourns at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The $500 registration includes three full days of content, all meals and snacks (dietary laws observed). Discounts for IKAR members are available. Conference events will be held at The Mark, 9320 W. Pico Blvd.; Morry’s Fireplace, 9118 W. Pico Blvd.; and Shalhevet High School, 910 S. Fairfax Ave. More information is available at jewishemergentnetwork.org or by calling (323) 852-6920.

SOCIAL JUSTICE SHABBAT: BAIL REFORM
Alex Sherman, attorney, journalist and co-chair of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, speaks about the organization’s advocacy for the California Bail Reform Act, a bill (SB 10) introduced in the state legislature. Currently, people charged with crimes in California are often required to pay cash bail or post a bail bond in order to be released from custody and help ensure that they appear at court hearings. Those who cannot afford bail or a bond remain incarcerated and, consequently, can be at risk of losing their jobs or undergoing other hardships that impact them and their families. If passed, SB 10 would require a court to evaluate whether a defendant can safely be released while awaiting trial. 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Kehillat Israel, 16019 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2328. ourki.org.

TECHNOLOGY AND THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE
Plastic surgeon Babak Azizzadeh discusses the role technology will play in the future of medicine during a wine-and-cheese reception at 7:15 p.m. at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills. His remarks precede a Shabbat unplugged service at 8 p.m. Free. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 300 N. Clark Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737. tebh.payquiq.com.

SAT JUNE 2 

“AN INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN MUSLIM LIFE”
Speaker Haroon Moghul, a fellow in Jewish-Muslim relations at the Shalom Hartman Institute and author of “How to Be a Muslim: An American Story,” speaks at Shabbat morning services at Shomrei Torah Synagogue. Moghul’s book details his coming of age as an American Muslim and his struggle to forge his identity in a post-9/11 world. 9 a.m.-noon. Free and open to the public. Shomrei Torah Synagogue, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. (818) 854-7650. stsonline.org.

REP. BRAD SHERMAN SPEECH
Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) delivers an address on “Checking Iranian Aggression: Supporting Our Ally Israel and Enhancing Mideast Security” during Shabbat services with the Beverly Hills Jewish Community Chabad Synagogue. In his remarks, Sherman will examine the effectiveness of U.S. sanctions against Iran in curbing Iran’s hostile actions in the Middle East and how the U.S. can help bolster Israel’s security, economic growth and technological innovations. Shabbat service 9:30 a.m., lecture 11:30 a.m. Free. Limited seating. RSVP at info@beverlyhillsjc.org. Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 276-4246. beverlyhillsjc.org.

“KNOW YOUR REPS”
Taiwan-born U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu, who represents California’s 33rd Congressional District, and IKAR Senior Rabbi Sharon Brous hold an open discussion over Shabbat lunch, following services. Lieu and Brous will examine the state and meaning of moral leadership from political and Jewish perspectives. Lieu was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2014 after a decade as a California assemblyman and state senator. 12:30 p.m. Free. Shalhevet High School, 910 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 634-1870. ikar-la.org

SUN JUN 3

BLOOD DRIVE
The B’nai David-Judea community is holding an all-day blood drive from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code BDJ, or contact Mina Rush at (310) 351-8742 or iminarush@abcglobal.net. bnaidavid.com. B’nai David-Judea Social Hall, 8906 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles.

VISITING THE WETLANDS
The Temple Isaiah Family Philanthropy Club organizes an outing into the Ballona Wetlands, where people of all ages can help protect the wetlands by removing invasive, non-native plant species and removing debris from the historic Ballona Creek. Members of Friends of the Ballona Wetlands will provide the needed tools. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes, should be prepared to get dirty and are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle. 2-4 p.m. Free. RSVP required to Jessica at jpdabney@me.com. Directions to the wetlands will be sent following RSVP. (310) 277-2772. templeisaiah.com.

“FROM THE BIMAH TO BROADWAY”
Temple Ramat Zion Hazzan Daniel Eli Friedman headlines “From the Bimah to Broadway,” an evening of live music. The concert features a cast of Friedman’s musical friends, including veteran stage performers Kevin McIntyre and Stefanie Morse, Cantor Lori Reisman Paterson of Congregation Ori Ami and Chazzan Lisa Peicott of Sinai Temple, under the musical direction of Tova Morcos. 7:30 p.m. $25 limited seating, $40 general admission, $75 reserved seats and $150 patrons. Temple Ramat Zion, 17655 Devonshire St., Northridge. (818) 360-1881. trz.org/concert.

TUE JUNE 5

NOAH POLLAK
Writer Noah Pollak, a contributor to the publications Free Beacon, Commentary and the Weekly Standard, discusses the Taylor Force Act, a legislative bill that cuts aid to the Palestinians until they end stipends for convicted terrorists and families of slain attackers.  Pollak, one of the architects of the act, which was named for an American killed in a 2016 terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, addresses how its passage will help stop the flow of U.S. dollars to Palestinian terrorists. Organized by the Sinai Temple Men’s Club. Men and women welcome. 6:30 p.m. $10 dinner. Free for Sinai Temple members. Sinai Temple, Ziegler Hall, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518, ext. 3340. sinaitemple.org. 

“FRUITHANDLER GONE WILD”
After seven years at Sinai Temple, Rabbi Jason Fruithandler is leaving for the Woodbury Jewish Center in New York. Atid, Sinai Temple’s young professionals group, sends him off with a farewell party, featuring food, soft drinks and arcade games. 7:30-10:30 p.m. $10 food and soft drinks. $15 game card. Dave & Buster’s at the Howard Hughes Center, 6081 Center Drive, Los Angeles. RSVP by June 4. (310) 474-1518. atidla.com.

WED JUNE 6

HECKLES FOR SHEKELS
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) holds a night of comedy at the Hollywood Improv. Comedians to be announced. The FIDF is a nonprofit that provides for the well-being of men and women serving in the Israel Defense Forces and supports families of fallen soldiers. 18-and-over only. 6:30-9:30 p.m. $45 early bird general admission; $55 general admission. Hollywood Improv, 8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 843-2690. squadup.com/events/fidf-yl-comedy-night.

THU JUNE 7

“THE ETERNAL DISSIDENT”
David Myers, president and CEO of the Center for Jewish History in New York, appears at the launch event for “The Eternal Dissident,” a new book about the life and thought of the late Rabbi Leonard Beerman, who led Leo Baeck Temple for 37 years. Friends and colleagues of Beerman — including Rev. Ed Bacon, Aziza Hasan, Mike Farrell, Rev. James Lawson, Salam al-Marayati, professor Nomi Stolzenberg and Rabbi Rachel Timoner — join Myers, who edited the book. Dessert reception follows. 7-9 p.m. Free. Leo Baeck Temple, 1300 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 476-2861. leobaecktemple.org.

TASTE OF ISRAEL
Foodies and Israel lovers unite at the “biggest culinary event for Israel in the United States,” showcasing Israeli wines and cuisine from celebrity Israeli chef Eyal Shani; acclaimed chef and TV star Meir Adoni; local modern Israeli restaurant Jaffa and more. Certified kosher menu. Proceeds benefit Larger Than Life, which serves Israeli children with cancer. Black tie optional. 7-11 p.m. General admission $360. The tax-deductible ticket includes unlimited food from 20 gourmet chefs and 20 of Israel’s finest wineries. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. tasteofisraella.com.

YOSSI KLEIN HALEVI
Yossi Klein Halevi discusses his new book, “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor,” at the Museum of Tolerance. Halevi, an American-born, award-winning author who has lived in Jerusalem since 1982, argues for Israelis and Palestinians to come to a a deeper and more soulful understanding of one another. David Suissa, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Jewish Journal, moderates a Q-and-A. A reception, book sale and book signing follow. 7:30 p.m. $12. Museum of Tolerance, 9786 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 772-2505. museumoftolerance.com/letters.