Jackie Rafii FRI JAN 4
Sephardic Shabbat
Through music, prayer, story and food, Shomrei Torah Synagogue celebrates the heritage of Sephardic Jews around the world with a Sephardic Shabbat. Cantor Jackie Rafii, guitarist Daniel Raijman and percussionist Jamie Papish perform seldom-heard and contemporary sounds from Sephardic communities in America and other countries. Dinner menu includes Israeli salad, chicken tagine and Moroccan pastries. 6 p.m. services. 7:15 p.m. dinner. $26 adult members, $13 child members. General admission: $32 adults, $16 children. Shomrei Torah Synagogue, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. (818) 854-7650.
Friday Night Unplugged
Rabbi Mendel Simons and Acapella Group lead Friday Night Unplugged, a mindful, meditative and musical Kabbalat Shabbat experience for young professionals sponsored by The Young Jewish Professionals of Los Angeles. A scotch and sushi cocktail hour kicks off the evening. Evening attire requested. 5–7 p.m. $15. 9261 Alden Drive, Beverly Hills.
Zubin Mehta
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra director Zubin Mehta leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a concert featuring the music of Brahms at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Accompanying Mehta is Israeli-American violinist Pinchas Zukerman. The weekend includes performances of Brahams’ Symphony No. 4 and Concerto for Violin and Cello. A pre-concert talk features conductor and music history and theory lecturer Thomas Neenan providing historical and cultural context. Through Jan. 6. 8 p.m. Jan. 4–5; 2 p.m. Jan. 6. $66-$207. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 850-2000.
“The Laws of Women”
Jewish perspectives on love, marriage, divorce, sex, adultery, rape, abortion and women’s rights are explored during “Women’s Torah Study: The Laws of Women,” the Women’s Torah Study series at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. Bring your own lunch. Drinks and desserts provided. Newcomers and friends welcome. 12:30 p.m. every other Friday. Free. Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Irmas Campus, 11661 Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (424) 208-8932 or hgole@wbtla.org.
Nashuva Gospel Shabbat
The Nashuva community holds a gospel Shabbat service at the Brentwood Presbyterian Church. United Voices of Peace also participates in the service. 6:45–8:30 p.m. Free. Brentwood Presbyterian Church, 12000 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles.
SAT JAN 5
Lev Eisha Shabbat
Designed by women and for women, Lev Eisha provides an elevated spiritual experience. Rabbi Toba August, Cindy Paley and Joy Krauthamer lead the Shabbat morning service and program, which emphasizes joy, relevancy and togetherness. A Kiddush follows. 9:30 a.m.–noon. Free. Beth Shir Shalom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 575-0985.
SUN JAN 6
Engel Chamber Concert
Three classical music works created by three legendary composers and interpreted by three musicians highlight Adat Ari El’s 25th annual Engel Chamber Music Concert. Violinist Movses Pogossian, cellist Clive Greensmith and pianist Steven Vanhauwaert perform compositions by Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Dvorak. 2 p.m. Free. Reservations requested. Adat Ari El, David Familian Chapel, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 766-9426.
Jewish L.A. Walking Tour
Shmuel Gonzalez, also known as the Barrio Boychik, retraces the migration of Jewish families from the barrio of Boyle Heights in East Los Angeles to the Fairfax District starting in the 1930s. The nostalgic walking tour focuses on the restaurants, shops and institutions that relocated, as well as the Jewish murals and organizations that have helped the Fairfax District retain its Jewish character. A quick pass by the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust at Pan Pacific Park is also on the agenda. Stick around and grab a corned beef sandwich at Canter’s restaurant with Gonzalez. 11:45 a.m. $20 adults, free for children 13 and younger. Group limited to 20 people. Meet at Canter’s, 419 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles.
“Simcha Series: A Celebration of Jewish Arts”
Musician Benny Lipson, guitarist Mat Gurman and stand-up comedian, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist David Zasloff begin a monthly series at Temple Ner Simcha in Westlake Village, performing works by some of the greatest Jewish artists of the 21st century. 7–8:30 p.m. Free. Temple Ner Simcha, 880 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village. (818) 851-0030.
MON JAN 7
“Emotional Struggles”
Documentary filmmaker Lisa Klein’s “Of Two Minds,” which explores the lives of three people living with bipolar disorder, and Rabbi Sara Berman, who has written about struggles with clinical depression, highlight this event at Kol Tikvah in the San Fernando Valley featuring a screening of Klein’s film and a discussion about the stigmatized disorder. Part of a series on mental health, with subsequent events on March 11 and May 6 focused on depression and suicide, respectively. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Free. Kol Tikvah, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 348-0670.
TUE JAN 8
Israel’s ‘Tribes’
Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills Rabbi Educator Adam Lutz offers an in-depth look at the religious, ideological, national and geographic “tribes” that make up the State of Israel in a presentation titled “All the ‘Tribes’ of Israel Are Responsible for One Another.” Additional events on Jan. 15 and 29. 7 p.m. Free. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, Davidson-Sheffer Hall, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737.
Jason Greenblatt
Jason Greenblatt, who along with President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been spearheading the effort toward a peace deal for the Israelis and the Palestinians, discusses Trump’s so-called “Deal of the Century” with Sinai Temple Senior Rabbi David Wolpe. Greenblatt is an assistant to Trump and a special representative for international negotiations. His leadership and guidance have helped changed the tenor of conversations with leaders throughout the Middle East. 7:30 p.m. Free for members, $18 non-members. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518.
WED JAN 9
“The God We Meet in Jewish Mysticism”
Professor Daniel Matt of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley leads a discussion addressing the difference God makes in human life. He appears as part of “Conservations With God,” an ongoing series at Valley Beth Shalom. Attendees convene every Wednesday evening through Feb. 20. 7–9 p.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000.
THU JAN 10
“Sammy Davis Jr: I’ve Gotta Be Me”
Emmy-winning director Sam Pollard’s documentary follows the life and career of the iconic black, Jewish and Puerto Rican performer, Sammy Davis Jr., as told through interviews with the stars who knew him. Neil Friedman, founder of Menemsha Films, speaks after the screening. Complimentary popcorn and dessert. 6:45 p.m. seating, 7 p.m. screening. Free. Kehillat Israel, 16019 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2328.
Have an event coming up? Send your information two weeks prior to the event to ryant@jewishjournal.com for consideration. For groups staging an event that requires an RSVP, please submit details about the event the week before the RSVP deadline.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.