Iliza Shlesinger, Eastside Jewish Tour

FRI JUN 29

“THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS”
Director Tom Wardle’s acclaimed documentary is about Jewish triplets reunited nearly 20 years after they were separated at birth by an adoption agency and sent to three different families.
What seems to be a feel-good true story takes a dark turn, however, when it’s revealed that the boys underwent secret psychological experiments before their reunion. The film, which screened last winter at the Sundance Film Festival, proves life is truly stranger than fiction. Opens Friday in theaters, including Arclight Hollywood and The Landmark. threeidenticalstrangers.com.

“FLASHPOINTS”
The Jewish Artists Initiative (JAI) exhibition “Flashpoints: A Collective Response,” which appeared at the Jerusalem Biennale, features five large-scale murals reflecting the diverse
voices of 19 artists and examines forces that pull people apart, including nationalism and political polarization. An artist-run organization, JAI was formed to promote dialogue about Jewish identity among members of the arts community and foster visual art by Jewish artists. Exhibition opens today and continues June 30 and July 5-7. Noon-5 p.m. Free. MuzeuMM, 4817 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 533-0085 or (310) 367-5246 for appointments. muzeumm.com.

“THE MUPPET MOVIE”
The Skirball Cultural Center’s Outdoor Movies series continues with the screening of this 1979 musical road comedy featuring the late Jim Henson’s beloved puppet characters. Pursuing a film career, Kermit the Frog moves cross-country from Florida to Southern California and encounters Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and Gonzo. Arrive early to tour “The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited.” Musicians Heidi Swedberg and Daniel Ward kick off the evening with a ukulele sing-along to the tune of the Muppets’ “Rainbow Connection.” Cocktails, wine, beer and light fare available for purchase. Doors 6:30 p.m. Ukulele sing-along 7:45 p.m. Screening 8:30 p.m. $12 general admission, $9 seniors, full-time students and children over 12. $7 children 2-12. Free for children under 2. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

“THE CAKEMAKER”
Israeli film director Ofir Raul Graizer’s debut feature follows a young German baker, Thomas, who is having an affair with Oren, a married Israeli man. After Oren is killed in a car crash, Thomas travels to Jerusalem to learn details of the accident. His life eventually becomes entwined with Anat, Oren’s widow. Various times. $13 adults, $10 children 11 and younger, seniors 62 and older. Laemmle Royal, 11523 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; Playhouse 7, 673 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; and Town Center 5, 17200 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (310) 478-3836. laemmle.com.

JEFF GARLIN
Stand-up comedian, actor, director and writer Jeff Garlin, of “The Goldbergs” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” brings his latest comedic routine to the Hollywood Improv stage. Doors 8:30 p.m., show 9 p.m. Also July 6 and July 13. 18 and older. $18. Hollywood Improv (The Lab), 8162 Melrose Ave., Hollywood. (323) 651-9050. hollywood.improv.com.

“BEACH BLANKET SHABBAT”
Embrace the summer season with Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills for a bring-your-own-dairy picnic dinner and outdoors Shabbat experience. The first 45 people to arrive at this informal service receive a free beach ball. Picnic dinner 5:30 p.m. Shabbat service 6:30 p.m. Temple Aliyah, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 346-3545. templealiyah.org.

SHABBAT UNDER THE STARS
Get into the spirit of fellowship with an outdoor Shabbat service on the back patio at University Synagogue. Free and open to the public. 7:30-9 p.m. University Synagogue, 11960 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 472-1255. unisyn.org.

SAT JUNE 30

ILIZA SHLESINGER AT THE ICE HOUSE
Iliza Shlesinger is the only female and the youngest comedian to hold the title on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” Her debut comedy album, “War Paint,” reached No. 1 on the iTunes charts and was named one of iTunes’ top 10 albums of 2013. The video of her “War Paint” stage performance is available on Netflix. She will be joined by Jessica Wellington and Brian Monarch. 18 and older. 7 p.m. $20-$27. The Ice House Comedy Club, 24 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. (626) 577-1894. icehousecomedy.com.

SHABBAT MORNING HIKE
Join Stephen Wise Temple Rabbi Ron Stern for a morning trek from Trippet Ranch to the Eagle Springs Loop Trail in Topanga. The approximately 6-mile loop is a bit strenuous, but no climbing is required. Wear appropriate boots or sneakers, and bring a bottle of water and a snack or two. Free. 10:30 a.m. RSVP to wisela.org.

SHABBAT LUNCH WITH ENTREPRENEURS FROM ISRAEL
Join Sinai Temple’s Men’s Club and the Israel Center as they host a group of entrepreneurs and innovators from Israel who are thriving in the arts, science and tech industries. They will speak at 11 a.m. during services, with lunch to follow. RSVP for lunch at sinaitemple.org. Free. Noon-2 p.m. 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518.

POETRY READING
Local poet Carol Davis (“Because I Cannot Leave This Body,” “Between Storms”) discusses what makes a poem Jewish. The Mishkon Tephilo congregant also reads from the latest issue of Shirim, a Jewish poetry journal, which she guest edited. 1-2 p.m. Free. Mishkon Tephilo, 206 Main St., Venice. (310) 392-3029. mishkon.org

SUN JULY 1

“KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER”
Amid outrage over President Donald Trump’s now-reversed policy of separating undocumented immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border, the Silverlake Independent Jewish Community Center and several organizations partner to raise funds for the RAICES Family Reunification Bond Fund. The event features family-friendly open play at a playground designed for children 4 and under, food, a bake sale and a raffle. All ages welcome. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $20. Wiggle & Work, 968 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. Contact Naomi at Wiggle & Work at (323) 407-6766 or naomi@wiggleandwork.com.

“THIS IS NOT HALFWAY”
Los Angeles-based Israeli artists Gal Amiram and Shasha Dothan discuss their current exhibition, “This Is Not Halfway, which delves into the meeting points of personal and national identities and their fluctuating transformations. The exhibition, which closes today, examines the impact of L.A. on Israeli artists who have made it their home. Suggesting the urban landscape is a protagonist of artistic action, the exhibition traces the city in their work and their work within the city. 11:30 a.m. Free. American Jewish University Familian Campus, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. (310) 440-1572. aju.edu.

“BAD JEWS”
A dark comedy about family and what you choose to believe, concludes an extended run at the Odyssey Theatre. Written by Joshua Harman and directed by Dana Resnick, “Bad Jews” follows grandchildren who fight over their late grandfather’s chai necklace. Themes of loyalty and betrayal, honoring tradition, and what defines a good Jew and a bad one are explored. 2 p.m. $15-$35. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 477-2055. odysseytheatre.com.

CHASSIDIM, YIDDISHISTS AND SOCIALISTS OF THE L.A. EASTSIDE
Shmuel Gonzales, aka the Barrio Boychik, leads a walking tour of the most historical Jewish and religious Yiddish cultural sites of Los Angeles’ Eastside. The 3.5-mile tour explores the religious Jewish history of Boyle Heights, the old labor and leftist political sites of the Yiddishists in the hills of City Terrace and the history of Chassidim in Los Angeles. The tour stops at the site of the Soto Street Shul of Rebbe Moshe Shmuel Rottenberg, the first Chassidic rebbe to settle permanently in Los Angeles; the old site of Congregation B’nai Israel in Boyle Heights, today an active church; and the Soto-Michigan Jewish Community Center in Boyle Heights, among others. The tour takes about 3 hours. Meet at 11:45 a.m. at the front of Breed Street Shul — Congregation Talmud Torah, 247 N. Breed St., Los Angeles. $20, online fees not included. Children 13 and under free. Limited space. To register, contact shmuel.gonzales@outlook.com or visit eventbrite.com.