What’s Happening: Rabbis on ‘Ties That Bind,’ ‘Shtisel’ Stars

FRI MAY 31

LGBTQ+ Pride Shabbat
On the eve of Pride Month, JQ International holds its second annual “LGBTQ+ and Ally Pride Shabbat” at a private home in Beverlywood. Courtney Mizel, a JQ board member and JQ’s 2017 Community Leadership Award honoree, is the hostess. Celebrating Shabbat and gay pride, the evening includes a catered kosher rainbow menu by Chef Mumsie, rainbow candlemaking crafts, entertainment and an open bar. JQ International is a Jewish organization emphasizing inclusivity regardless of religious affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation or expression. 6:30-10:30 p.m. $50. Address sent upon ticket purchase. (323) 417-2627.

SAT JUNE 1

“The Reluctant Jew”
Both “jazz comedian” David Zasloff and his audiences find something funny about “The Reluctant Jew,” Zasloff’s narrative and musical account of how he discovered, somewhat belatedly, a home inside Judaism and his Jewish heritage. Along the way, the poet and philosopher has been a stained-glass artist, wilderness guide, ski instructor, written two books and plays “zen jazz” with his band. 7:30-10:30 p.m. $15 advance tickets. $20 at the door. $10 students, seniors. $8 Beyond Baroque members. Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. (310) 822-3006.  

Breakfast, Teaching and a Show
Gathering women who enjoy spending time with other women on Shabbat, Lev Eisha offers a light breakfast, insightful teaching, and musical and meaningful Shabbat services. Rabbi Toba August leads the learning, followed by Jewish Women’s Theatre’s “The Accidental Activist,” original stories of courage, outrage and action. 8:15 a.m. breakfast and teaching. 9:30 a.m. Shabbat services. Free. Beth Shir Shalom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 575-0985.

“The Big Shabbat”
Young professionals, including singles and couples, are invited to “The Big Shabbat,” a gathering of their peers at Nessah Synagogue. Rabbi Yitzchak Sakhai leads the inspiring Shabbat morning services, followed by a special Kiddush, socializing and l’chaims. 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Free. Nessah Israel Synagogue, 142 S. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 273-2400.

“Playback Yerushalmi”
Jewish Women’s Theatre presents the Los Angeles premiere of “Playback Yerushalmi,” an English-language playback show about Jerusalem, staged by Yanshufim Ensemble, a Bay Area-based improv troupe of Israelis. Designed for both American and Israeli audiences, the participatory-theater show has performers listen to stories by members of the audience, then improvise about them onstage while acting, singing and using movement techniques and humor. 8-9:30 p.m. $22-$25. Jewish Women’s Theatre, 2912 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 315-1400.

Seidler-Feller and Brous
Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, who served as the executive director at Hillel at UCLA for four decades, and IKAR Rabbi Sharon Brous lead a lunch-and-learn session following Shabbat services at IKAR. Their personal conversation, “Ties That Bind,” explores religion and social justice. 9:15 a.m. Shabbat services. 12:30 p.m. discussion and lunch. Free. Shalhevet High School, 910 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 634-1870.

SUN JUNE 2

Rosh Hodesh Women’s Circle
Food justice community organizer Devorah Brous leads the celebration of an ancient ritual as attendees gather to share wisdom and learn from one another. Brous’ “newMOON Rosh Chodesh Women’s Circle” meets every month on the occasion of the new moon. Participants dress in white and are encouraged to bring a glass jar that they will take home with salts following the gathering. Potluck dishes are welcome and each woman is asked
to bring one intention to plant in her inner garden in the new month of Sivan.
7-10 p.m. $20, $25. Pacific Palisades address provided after ticket purchase.

“Taking on the Islamist Establishment”
M. Zudhi Jasser, an internationally recognized expert on Islamism, appears at Kehillat Ma’arav to discuss “Taking on the Islamist Establishment,” addressing the root cause of Islamic terrorism. 10 a.m. breakfast. 11 a.m. lecture. Free. RSVP required. Kehillat Ma’arav, 1715 21st St., Santa Monica. (310) 829-0566.

James Worthy
Lakers great James Worthy and former Los Angeles Times sports columnist Steve Springer discuss the purple and gold’s past and present as well as the revised edition of Springer’s book “100 Things Lakers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.” The event at Shomrei Torah Synagogue includes a continental breakfast and book signing. 10 a.m.-noon. Free, event only. $20 for event and Springer’s book. RSVP required. Shomrei Torah Synagogue, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. (818) 854-7650.

TUE JUNE 4

Revolutionary Judaism
“Judaism as a Revolutionary Religion,” an interactive discussion at Sinai Temple, examines what is it about Judaism that has provided a foundation for 75 percent of the world’s population and the changes it introduced into the lives of our ancestors that continue to reverberate today. Speakers are Sinai congregant Elie Alyeshmerni and Rabbi Erez Sherman. Dinner provided to Sinai Men’s Club members. $10 general admission. 6:30-9 p.m. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518.

Challot for Shavuot
In advance of Shavuot, join the Israeli-American Council (IAC) for the women-only challah-baking event “Mother & Daughter Challot LeShavuot.” A community rebbetzin explains the rituals around baking challah, and each person will be assisted in creating their own dough, which they can take home and use to bake their own bread loaves. If your mother or daughter cannot make it, don’t fret — bring friends or other relatives. 7-9:30 p.m. $30, must be purchased in advance. Proceeds benefit Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles. IAC Shepher Community Center, 6530 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills. (818) 466-6405.

“‘Shtisel’: Behind the Scenes”
Join the cast and writer of the hit Israeli television show “Shtisel” (Yiddish for “a little bit”) for a sneak peak into the creation of the series and view clips to learn how “Shtisel” has impacted them, the Charedi community and Israel as a whole. The series, which is streaming on Netflix, follows a Charedi family living in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem as it reckons with love, loss and daily life. Over two consecutive evenings organized by Gesher — which facilitates dialogue between the secular, religious and Charedi sectors of Israeli society — “Shtisel” stars Dov Glickman, Ayelet Zurer and Neta Riskin plus show creator and writer Ori Elon appear in conversation. On June 4, Larry Tanz, vice president of international original series at Netflix, moderates; on June 5, Sinai Temple Senior Rabbi David Wolpe does. 7 p.m. both evenings. $54 general admission, $100 premium, $250 VIP. June 4: Saban Theater, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. June 5: Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.

Current Events in Israel
Hebrew teacher Shifra Raz leads a weekly class called Current Events in Israel and the Jewish World, drawing on Hebrew novelists, dramatists, poets and popular songwriters, and taught through reading, discussions, role-playing, creative writing, singing and watching Hebrew-language films. 7-8 p.m. $10 per class for members, $15 per class for general admission. Free for students under 16. Mishkon Tephilo,
206 Main St., Venice. (310) 392-3029.  

WED JUNE 5

Resiliency Training
Security experts from The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles’ Community Security Initiative (CSI) lead a basic safety course designed for congregants and parents. Unveiling a new program, CRT (Community Resiliency Training), CSI officials focus on how to create a culture of security through the identification of pre-incident indicators, efficient reporting and situational awareness. 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Sephardic Temple, 10500 Wilshire Blvd. (310) 475-7000. All attendees must preregister to have access to onsite parking. Email juliah@sephardictemple.org with your full name, title and organization.

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.