What’s Happening: Sanctuary Dedication, Elan Carr, ‘Fiddler’ Singalong

FRI AUG 30

Sanctuary Dedication
Two days of elaborate ceremonies mark the long-awaited unveiling of Temple Beth Am’s renovated Ganzberg Sanctuary. Starting on Friday afternoon, the community gathers on Ziering Family Field with Beth Am Senior Rabbi Adam Kligfeld, Cantor Hillary Chorny, Rabbi Rebecca Schatz and 10 past presidents of Beth Am to march the Torah scrolls into the sanctuary. A community dinner follows services in the round. On Shabbat morning, demonstrating the breadth of the congregation, Torah Club youth read the Torah and 99-year-old Abe Berman chants the haftorah. After kiddush, architect Steve Rajninger of San Francisco conducts a docent tour of the new space. At Havdalah, elected officials, rabbis and community leaders gather to close out the sendoff Shabbat. Aug. 30: 5:15 p.m. Torah procession. 6:15 p.m. First Friday night service. 7:30 p.m. community dinner. Aug. 31: 9:15 a.m. services. 12:30 p.m. outdoor Kiddush. 8 p.m. Havdalah. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd. (310) 652-7353. tbala.org/dedication. 

Shabbat Dinner in the Neighborhood
Join Beth Chayim Chadashim (BCC) for its unique and popular two-location “Shabbat Dinner in the Neighborhood.” The evening begins with a meal at Fu’s Palace, with prices ranging from $15-$20. Afterward, BCC members relocate a few blocks east on Pico Boulevard to the synagogue for an uplifting musical Shabbat service. 6 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. services. Fu’s Palace, 8751 W. Pico Blvd. Beth Chayim Chadashim, 6090 W. Pico Blvd. (323) 931-7023. bcc-la.org.

“Israel’s Political Landscape”
Israeli entrepreneur and social activist Boaz Nol, who led a successful campaign in Israel for equal military service for all, speaks about Israel’s Sept. 17 elections. His discussion, “Israel’s Political Landscape Given Upcoming Elections,” follows Shabbat dinner. The director of resources and development at the 48,000-student Open University of Israel, Nol aims to make higher education accessible to all sectors of society while developing programming for the Charedi community, Arab Israelis and Ethiopians among others. RSVP and photo ID required. 8 p.m. Free. Temple Isaiah, 10345 Pico Blvd. (310) 277-2772. templeisaiah.com.

Shabbat at the Beach

Before summer ends, spend Shabbat at Santa Monica Beach with the IKAR congregation. Bring your own picnic dinner for a late afternoon outing and stay to enjoy musical and soulful Shabbat services.  5 p.m. BYO picnic dinner. 6 p.m. services. Santa Monica Beach, Lifeguard Station 26, near Pacific Park. (323) 634-1870. ikar-la.org.

SAT AUG 31

“What’s the Value of College Anyway?”
How should we be educating our children beyond secondary school? What effect does college have on our children’s Jewish identity? What are the conflicting values in sending them to college at a time of rising anti-Semitism on college campuses? UCLA Hillel Executive Director Rabbi Aaron Lerner and college consultant Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski discuss these questions and examine the overall value of college during B’nai David-Judea’s latest Nosh ’n Drosh, “What’s the Value of College Anyway?” 5-6:30 p.m. Childcare provided. Private home. For information, contact bdj@bnaidavid.com.

“The U.S. Response to Global Anti-Semitism
U.S Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating  Anti-Semitism Elan Carr discusses “The U.S. Response to Global Anti-Semitism” during Shabbat services at the Sephardic Temple. He also participates in a Q&A after services. Carr, who is of mixed Iraqi and Ashkenazi heritage, is a special adviser to President Donald Trump and is a former deputy district attorney in L.A. County. 8:30 a.m.-noon services. Sephardic Temple, 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 475-7000. sephardictemple.org.

Shabbat Healing Service
Regardless of where or how you live, the world is noisier than it ever has been, and Adat Ari El’s Healing Service is offering a potential Shabbat morning remedy. For a calming, alternative way to connect to Shabbat and community, Rabbi Jessica Yarkin and Sue Epstein create moments of spiritual, physical, emotional healing in an intimate space. 10-11 a.m. Free. Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 766-9426. adatariel.org.

SUN SEPT 1

Welcoming Elul
Welcoming the first day of Elul and educating about how to do teshuvah (repentance), Open Your Temple Soundbath is a ritual for listening to the stories and sounds from within and from beyond. Rabbi Lori Shapiro, Sharon Kopp and Lex Lightning are the ritual leaders. Meet at the Washington Pier in Venice. 6:30 p.m. Free. Reserve tickets at eventbrite.com. (310) 821-1414. opentemple.org.

Chabad Telethon
Nearly 40 years after a fatal fire swept through Chabad headquarters in Westwood, inspiring the first live televised “To Life” fundraiser co-hosted by actor Carroll O’Connor (“All in the Family”) and comedian-actor Jan Murray, the Chabad Telethon returns. Known for welcoming a wide range of celebrities, some of whom struggle with the guttural nuances of pronouncing “Chabad,” the telethon has raised millions of dollars for Chabad’s numerous educational programs. Syndicated radio host and author Dennis Prager, whose relationship with Chabad dates back to the 1970s, returns as host. Actor Jon Voight, a longtime participant, is expected. 5-11 p.m. Watch live on KSCI-TV, channel 18, or stream the broadcast at chabad.com/telethon. 

Faith and Family Night
In keeping with a soccer league tradition, the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) holds “Faith & Family Night” as the team hosts Minnesota United FC in a Major League Soccer Western Conference match at Banc of California Stadium in Exposition Park. Congregations across Los Angeles are invited to participate. 7:30 p.m. From $27. Banc of California Stadium, 3939 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. (323) 648-6060. lafc.com.

TUE SEPT 3

High Holy Days Prep
Reacquainting synagogue-goers with the traditions, prayers and requirements of the High Holy Days, Shomrei Torah Synagogue Rabbi Richard Camras and Cantorial Soloist Jackie Rafii lead a deep dive into themes and prayers for these next three weeks. This is the first of two informative, interactive workshops. The next session is on Sept. 17. RSVP preferred. 7:45-9 p.m. Free. Shomrei Torah Synagogue, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. (818) 854-7650. stsonline.org.

WED SEPT 4

Reconstructing High Holy Days
Join Reconstructionist Rabbi Micah Hyman as he discusses traditional themes of the High Holy Days — sin, repentance, redemption, salvation and kingship. In the program “Eternity Now: A Journey Through the High Holy Days,” the Kehillat Israel rabbi also probes the rhythm of the shofar and the arc of the Jewish calendar. 7-9 p.m. Free. Kehillat Israel, 16019 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2328. For more information and to RSVP, visit ourki.org.

THU SEPT 5

“Tale of Team Israel”
After years of languishing and losing, Israel’s national baseball team finally earned its trip to the World Baseball Classic in 2017. “Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel,” a 2018 documentary opening at three Laemmle theaters, tells the David-and-Goliath true story of an Israeli team consisting of American Jewish players, most of whom had never been to Israel before playing for the team. The group of ballplayers elevates Israel’s baseball reputation on the world stage. Preview screening on Sept. 5, Ahrya Fine Arts, 8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. Opens on Sept. 6 at Laemmle Royal, 11523 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, and Town Center 5, 17200 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (310) 478-1041. laemmle.com.

“Fiddler on the Roof” Singalong
Come dressed as Tevya, Goldie or any other Sholem Aleichem character for a “Fiddler on the Roof” singalong evening. Belt out “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Sunrise, Sunset” and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” at Temple Beth El of Hollywood. The movie is shown with the lyrics to help attendees remember the words. Popcorn and other refreshments are served. 7 p.m. $12 adults, $5 students, $18 at the door. Temple Beth El of Hollywood, 1317 N. Crescent Heights Blvd., West Hollywood. (323) 656-3150. brownpapertickets.com.

Memoir Writing Class
Since everyone has stories to share, consider joining Deborah Spector’s first of a four-week memoir writing class, welcoming those who are new to writing, interested in exploring their personal histories and making a written record. Personal values, forgiveness, charity and obligation are explored. Classes do not include critiquing or correction of writing styles and grammar. RSVP at admin@tbila.org. 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Temple Beth Israel, 5711Monte Vista St., Highland Park. (323) 745-2474. www.tbila.org.

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.