WHAT’S HAPPENING: Gad Elmaleh; Classic Films Discussed

FRI JUN 15
GAD ELMALEH
The hardest-working Moroccan-Jewish stand-up comedian in the business performs five shows in three nights at the Irvine Improv. Gad Elmaleh started his career performing in small shows for the Montreal Sephardic community and rose to prominence in France after relocating to Paris in the 1990s. His sights are set on winning over American audiences with an observational comedic sensibility similar to that of Jerry Seinfeld. 18 and older. Friday, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.; Saturday, 7 and 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 7 p.m. $25. Irvine Improv, 527 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine. (949) 854-5455. irvine.improv.com.

FRI JUN 15
SHABBAT AT THE BEACH
Bring a blanket and a dairy/pareve picnic for a Friday night service at the beach, marking a farewell to Sinai Temple Rabbi Jason Fruithandler and Cantor Lisa Peicott and a new beginning for Rabbi Sam Rotenberg. Sinai Religious School Director Danielle Kassin leads the musical service. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Meet at Ocean Avenue and Bicknell Avenue, between lifeguard stations 23 and 24, Santa Monica. (310) 481-3228. member.sinaitemple.org/events.

“JAZZ SHABBAT”
A cool shul with a cool vibe serves up a finger-snapping service with a beat. Kol Tikvah Rabbi Becky Hoffman and Cantor Noa Shaashua introduce a cast of jazz musicians and upbeat personalities as up-tempo jazz sets the mood for Shabbat. Socializing, coffee and sweet treats follow. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Kol Tikvah, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 348-0670. koltikvah.org.

“WEST SIDE STORY”
Enjoy a classic film, screened outdoors on a late-spring evening in an elegant setting when the Skirball Cultural Center presents 1961’s “West Side Story,” the Academy Award-winning musical directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. The museum opens its doors two hours before the film so early arrivals may visit the exhibition “Leonard Bernstein at 100.” Bernstein wrote the music for “West Side Story.” Oscar-winning actor George Chakiris, who plays Bernardo in the film, participates in a Q-and-A. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Q-and-A 7:30 p.m. Screening 8:30 p.m. $12 general; $9 seniors, students, children 12-and older; $7 children 2-12. Free for Skirball members and children under 2. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

SAT JUN 16
SHABBAT HIKE
With lapping ocean waves in the background, Leo Baeck Temple Rabbi Benjamin Ross leads a beachside Shabbat walk. Spirituality, community and poetry courtesy of Ross highlight the occasion. 10-11 a.m. Free. Meet at Perry’s Café, 2400 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica. (310) 476-2861. leobaecktemple.org.

SUN JUNE 17
ROEY VICTORIA HEIFETZ
Israeli transgender artist Roey Victoria Heifetz, who is based in Berlin, discusses her recent works, including the ongoing “The Third Body,” which combines large-scale drawings and videos of confessions by and conversations with women of the transgender communities in Berlin and Israel. She also speaks about her own process of transitioning and the history of the queer Jewish community in Berlin. 3 p.m. Free, RSVP at arts@aju.edu. American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-1246. arts.aju.edu/event/talk-heifetz.

FATHER’S DAY REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
Rabbi Robert Elias of Temple Knesset Israel leads a service that reflects on fathers and how they shape their children’s lives. Featuring Cantor Jay Frailich (University Synagogue), Cantor Lonee Frailich (Temple Akiba), storyteller Michael Katz and harpist Jill Risigari-Gai. Refreshments served. Please contribute canned or dry goods, eyeglasses or hearing aids for the Hillside Chesed Project. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary, 6001 W. Centinela Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 641-0707. hillsidememorial.org/events.

“UNDER THE JELLO MOLD”
In her award-winning one-woman show, “Under the Jello Mold,” actress Jennie Fahn embarks on a humorous and heartfelt exploration of her relationship with her late mother. Fahn’s comedy examines how she dealt with her mother, a former dancer who was never content to merely rehash her past, during what turned out to be the final act of her mother’s life. Fahn tells her story in anecdotes, characters and song. Through Aug. 26. 5 p.m. $30. The Pico, 10508 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (800) 838-3006. underthejellomold.com.

MON JUNE 18
“WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR SCHOOL?”
Join an interactive briefing on the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA) monograph that examines a prestigious school’s curriculum as a case study of the way the Arab-Israeli conflict and Islam are portrayed in public schools nationally. Featuring CAMERA Executive Director Andrea Levin and Director of Communications Jonah Cohen. 7 p.m.
coffee and dessert reception, 7:30 p.m. briefing. $10 pre-registered, $20 at the door. Parking at hotel, $18. InterContinental Los Angeles Century City, Glass Lounge, 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles. Register at schoolbiasca.eventbright.com.

TUE JUNE 19
“LA RAFLE”
The 2010 film “La Rafle” recounts the true story of the infamous Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup of July 1942 in Paris, when the Nazis forced 13,000 Jews into an indoor velodrome before deporting them to Auschwitz. The film, screening at American Jewish University, focuses broadly on the Nazis and their collaborators, including the Vichy government and the French police. Jean Reno, Melanie Laurent and Gad Elmaleh co-star. Historian Michael Berenbaum and Consul General of France in Los Angeles Christophe Lemoine participate in a post-screening discussion. 7:30 p.m. $8. American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-1572. aju.edu.

WED JUNE 20
NEXUS SPEED NETWORKING
Meet like-minded, ambitious business professionals at Beth Jacob Congregation’s speed-networking. The gathering for entrepreneurs, small-business owners, and professionals in the legal, medical, finance, real estate or entertainment fields offers the perfect occasion to expand a business and make crucial contacts. Geared for members of Beth Jacob Congregation. 7:30–9 p.m. $20 for Nexus-enrolled participants, free for Beth Jacob members. Beth Jacob Congregation, 9030 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 278-1911. bethjacob.org.

THU JUN 21
KOSHA DILLZ
Prolific Jewish hip-hop artist Kosha Dillz, who is adept at freestyle rapping
and rhyming about everything from Israel to what he did with his day, performs on the 2018 Vans Warped Tour’s Full Sail Stage. Doors 11 a.m. $45. Pomona Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. vanswarpedtour.com 

“HOT FUN IN THE SUMMER!”
Professional comedians come together for “Hot Fun in the Summer! Saucy Stories From Sassy Jewish Writers.” Performers include Wendy Hammers, Sy Rosen, Rena Strober, Carlos Kotkin, Pam Levin and Monica Piper. Drinks, wine and refreshing summer treats served. 7:30-9:30 p.m. $10. Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. (818) 766-9426. adatariel.org.

“SACRED RESISTANCE”
Writer and performer Vicki Juditz charts her journey from nice Christian girl to Jewish activist in her humorous and heartfelt one-woman show. Presented by Jewish Women’s Theatre. Directed by Susan Morgenstern. No children under 16 admitted. Previews begin June 21.
Through July 29. 8 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. $30 preview ticket, $45 opening night ticket/party,  $35 regular admission. The Braid, 2912 Colorado Ave., No. 102, Santa Monica. (310) 315-1400. jewishwomenstheatre.org.

MAY THE FAITHS BE WITH YOU
Join a panel of Jewish, Muslim and Christian “Star Wars” fans to discuss the spirituality, theology and humanity of a galaxy far, far away. Panelists include writer Esther Kustanowitz, communications consultant Marium Mohiuddin and rapper and poet Jason Chu. 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd. (310) 652-7354, ext. 215. tbala.org.