Rep. Schiff, Gershwin to Sondheim and More

FRI JUN 22

“THE CATCHER WAS A SPY”Actor Paul Rudd stars as Moe Berg, a big- league baseball catcher. who was Jewish, graduated from Princeton and Columbia Law School, read 10 newspapers every day and became a spy during World War II. “The Catcher Was a Spy,” opening at Laemmle Theatres, reveals how Berg was hired by the U.S. government to assassinate the Nazis’ primary nuclear scientist. The goal was to prevent Germany from developing an atomic bomb. Various times. $13 adults, $10 children 11 and younger and seniors 62 and older. Laemmle’s Monica Film Center, 1332 Second St.,
Santa Monica. Town Center 5, 17200 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Playhouse 7, 673 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. (310) 478-3836. laemmle.com. 

“SOUTHERN SOIREE”
Young professionals celebrate the start of summer, Southern-style, with an outdoor Shabbat, featuring sangria, barbecue and mixing and mingling. 7 p.m. Mincha, 7:45 p.m. cocktails, 8:30 p.m. dinner. $35. Beth Jacob Congregation, 9030 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 278-1911. bethjacob.org.

SAT JUNE 23

NITSANA DARSHAN-LEITNER
Israeli activist attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner appears at Young Israel of Century City to discuss her work over the past 15 years prosecuting Palestinian and Islamic terrorists. She is the founder of Shurat HaDin, a Tel Aviv-based civil rights nongovernmental organization focused on representing terror victims, Jewish issues and Israeli causes. Darshan-Leitner visits American Jewish communities to heighten awareness about the methods and complexities of terrorism. 6:40 p.m. Mincha, 7:40 p.m. discussion. Free. Young Israel of Century City, 9317 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 273-6954. yicc.org.

SUMMER BLAST DINNER DANCE
Join more than 300 people, including singles and couples, ages 50 and over, for a night of dancing as Tommi Tassi and the Authentics play hit tunes from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. Dinner, desert and drinks served. Highlights include a huge dance floor, icebreakers, line dances and a panoramic view of the city. 7-11 p.m. $25 cash at the door. Free parking. Stephen Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. For more information, contact Johnny at (310) 204-1240 or johnseeman@aol.com. 

“ISRAEL: THEN & NOW”
Israeli Ambassador Ido Aharoni, a 25-year veteran of Israel’s foreign service, discusses changes to Israel throughout 70 years of statehood. He knows inside stories, having been a back-channel negotiator before the Oslo Accords in 1993. 9:30 a.m. Shabbat services. 11:30 a.m. lecture. Free. RSVP at info@beverlyhillsjc.org. Limited seating. The Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 276-4246. beverlyhillsjc.org.

“LOSS AND FOUND”
This triple narrative play takes the audience on a single journey from three perspectives as a young adoptee searches for her identity and answers to questions about her Jewish and African-American heritage, while her biological mother and grandmother receive the reunion they hoped for. Written by Johanna Specktor Dey, Holocaust survivor Renee Firestone and her daughter Klara Firestone. Directed by Johanna Specktor Dey and Jon Kean. Proceeds support the Santa Monica Playhouse Jewish Heritage Project. 8 p.m. $18. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth St., Santa Monica. (310) 394-9779, ext. 1. santamonicaplayhouse.com.

“GERSHWIN TO SONDHEIM”
Michael Feinstein conducts vocalists Liz Callaway, Brighton Thomas and Aaron Lazar in a re-creation of George Gershwin classics from the jazz age, modern classics from Stephen Sondheim and everything in between in “That’s Entertainment: Gershwin to Sondheim.” 5:30 p.m. gates open for picnicking. The concert follows at 7:30 p.m. $10-$150. Los Angeles County Arboretum, 310 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. (626) 793-7172. pasadenasymphony-pops.org.

SUN JUNE 24

“THE RISE OF THE AUTOCRATS: A VIEW FROM CAPITOL HILL”
Join Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) in conversation with Madeleine Brand, Emmy Award-winning journalist and host of KCRW’s “Press Play.” Schiff is in his ninth term in the House and is the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, which oversees the nation’s intelligence agencies including components of the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, State and Energy. The fifth in Jews United for Democracy and Justice’s Community Conversation Series. 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Temple Israel of Hollywood, 7300 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 876-8330. Register at eventbrite.com.

LATE NIGHT WITH LEONARD BERNSTEIN
Celebrate the life and music of Leonard Bernstein at this multimedia cabaret, inspired by the inimitable artist’s talent for creating masterworks and entertaining friends into the wee hours of the night. Hosted by the composer’s daughter Jamie Bernstein, this Copland House production features video and audio excerpts, rare photographs and live performances by soprano Amy Burton and pianists Michael Boriskin and John Musto. Hear renditions of Bernstein’s compositions and his favorite works by Aaron Copland, Franz Schubert, Edvard Grieg, Zez Confrey, Noël Coward, Ernesto Lecuona and others. 7:30 p.m. $35 general, $25 members. (310) 440-4526 to reserve tickets. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

“EXAGOGE”
Theatre Dybbuk presents a reading of an adaptation of “Exagoge,” the first extant Jewish play, infused with the experiences of refugees, immigrants and the disenfranchised in a production that resonates in contemporary American society. Geared toward adults, seniors and teens. 2-4 p.m. Free tickets available at eventbrite.com. Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles. (213) 228-7000. lapl.org.

CHAIVILLAGELA’S SECOND ANNIVERSARY PARTY
ChaiVillageLA is turning 2! Join the virtual elderly community, founded by Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills and Temple Isaiah, for the organization’s second anniversary party, featuring food, drink, prizes and special guests. Friends old and new come together. 4-6 p.m. Free. Temple Isaiah, 10345 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 277-2772. chaivillagela.org.

“77 STEPS”
“77 Steps” (2010), directed by Palestinian-Israeli filmmaker Ibtisam Mara’ana, is a personal and direct look at the political upheavals in Israel. Mara’ana leaves her home village for Tel Aviv, where she becomes romantically involved with a Jewish immigrant from Canada. As their relationship progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to sustain during the political turmoil of a war in Gaza and an election that gives rise to the nationalistic right. Together, they attempt to overcome social and personal politics in the face of an Israeli community that refuses to approve of their relationship and accept Mara’ana as an Israeli. Part of the IfNotNow Film Series. 7:30 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. screening.  $5. Echo Park Film Center, 1200 N. Alvarado St., Los Angeles. (213)  484-8846. echoparkfilmcenter.org.

TUE JUNE 26 

STAND-UP AGAINST HATE

LOL with the ADL. The Anti-Defamation League’s NextGen initiative holds an evening of live stand-up comedy, featuring Guy Branum (“The Mindy Project”), Whitney Cummings (“Whitney”), Jeff Dye (“Better Late Than Never”), Wayne Federman (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and Zainab Johnson (“All Def Comedy”). Comedian Bruce Fine (“The Laugh Pack”) emcees. Proceeds benefit the ADL. 21 and older. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show. Tickets start at $50. The Comedy Store, 8433 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 446-4260. give.classy.org/adlcomedy.

ANDY STATMAN
Legendary bluegrass klezmer musician Andy Statman performs “Up Close and Personal.” The mandolin and clarinet player’s embrace of his Jewish heritage influences his sound, which also incorporates jazz. Accompanied by Jim Whitney and Larry Eagle of the Andy Statman Trio. 8 p.m. $20. Pico Union Project, 1153 Valencia Street, Los Angeles. (213) 915-0084. picounionproject.org.

“WILL ROBOTS TAKE OUR CHILDREN’S JOBS?”
Will machines replace children? Where and how will children work when they grow up? Are kids learning the right stuff in school? The latest Sephardic Temple Men’s Club mentorship series event, a multimedia presentation and discussion on the future of jobs for teens and adults, addresses these questions and more. Light meal and beverages served. 7-9 p.m. Free. Sephardic Temple, 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 475-7000. sephardictemple.org.

“JEWISH LIFE IN MODERN GERMANY”
German Consul General in Los Angeles Hans Jorg Neumann delivers a presentation on “Jewish Life in Modern Germany” and participates in a discussion with Temple Beth Am Rabbi Emeritus Joel Rembaum. Organized by the Rembaum Institute of Temple Beth Am, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany and American Jewish Committee Los Angeles. 7:30 p.m. Free. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7353. tbala.org.

WED JUNE 27

“LIFE ADJUSTMENTS AND TRANSITIONS: SEPARATION AND DIVORCE”
A brand new initiative of Sinai Temple, led by Rabbi Nicole Guzik, provides a safe and welcoming space for women with shared experiences to support one another. The inaugural session invites women going through marital separation and/or divorce to come together and seek solace, counsel and sisterhood. Wine and cheese served. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Private residence in Beverly Hills. Address provided upon RSVP. (310) 474-1518. sinaitemple.org.