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What’s Happening: Hip-Hop Shabbat, ‘Sacred Sounds,’ Dani Shapiro

[additional-authors]
January 29, 2020

FRI JAN 31

“Shabbat Against Gung Violence”
Fourteen months after 12 of his fellow patrons were massacred by a lone gunman  at a country and western bar in Thousand Oaks, survivor Ben Ginsberg, 24, brings his story to Beth Shir Shalom. It occurred just days after 11 Jews were gunned down at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. “None of us could have imagined it could happen again in a much more personal way,” said Ginsberg, who escaped through a rear exit. In observance of the Reform synagogue’s “Shabbat Against Gun Violence,” he shares steps the community can take. 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Beth Shir Shalom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica.

Hip-Hop Shabbat
Come to Shabbat services at Wilshire Boulevard Temple, and dance to the sounds of Dr. Dre, P. Diddy and Usher. The high-energy Hip-Hop Shabbat stars Rabbi Joel Nickerson, songleader Jason Mesches and community members seeking a new kind of Shabbat experience. 7 p.m. Free. Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 3663 Wilshire Blvd.

Dani Shapiro

Family Secrets
When best-selling author Dani Shapiro casually took a DNA test, she was shocked to learn that her father was not really her biological father. In a Writers Bloc Presents event at the Fine Arts Theater, Shapiro, in conversation with singer-songwriter Liz Phair, talks about family and who she is as opposed to who she thought she was. Her book, “Inheritance, A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love,” is included in the ticket price. 7:30 p.m. $33. Fine Arts Theater, 8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills.

Journalist at Beth Jacob
Israeli investigative journalist and author Ronen Bergman, senior correspondent for military and intelligence affairs for Yedioth Ahronoth, the country’s largest daily, is the Shabbat scholar-in-residence at Beth Jacob Congregation. Bergman speaks three times, at 6:15 tonight at a community dinner at Pat’s Restaurant and Catering, Shabbat morning, when services start at 9 a.m., and after Shabbat at a private home at 7:30 p.m. Tonight’s services, 5:05 p.m. Shabbat dinner: $90 members, $55 children, $100 general, $65 nonmember children. Registration is recommended. Pat’s, 9233 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 205-8705. Beth Jacob, 9030 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills.

SAT FEB 1

Consul General Speaks Out
Join the Sephardic Temple community for Shabbat morning services when Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles Hillel Newman discusses “Israel, Iran and the United States Today.” He will take questions after Kiddush. Arriving in Los Angeles last year, Newman, who holds a doctorate in Jewish history, previously was ambassador to the Republic of Uzbekistan and deputy consul general to Israel’s consulate in New England. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sephardic Temple, 10500 Wilshire Blvd.

Jews, Genetics and Cancer
On behalf of Sharsheret, which helps Jewish women and their families face breast cancer, three speakers address the subject “Genetics, the Jewish Community and Cancer” at B’nai David-Judea Congregation following Shabbat services. Dr. Noam Drazin, Dr. Rena Selya and social worker Shira Landau, provide their expertise. B’nai David-Judea Congregation, 8906 W. Pico Blvd.

Yosef Goldman and Chava Mirel

“Sacred Sounds Unbound”
Singer-guitarist Chava Mirel of Seattle and Yosef Goldman, a Philadelphia rabbi, musician and ritual artist, perform “Sacred Sounds Unbound.” The concert series is a product of the partnership between Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills and Temple Beth Am, this evening’s host. 7 p.m. $18 or $32 for two concerts. Temple Beth Am, 1039
S. La Cienega Blvd.

Singing in the Dark
Called one of the most powerful musical experiences of your life, Kol Tefilah’s Conference/three-day Shabbaton about new prayer experiences at Temple Beth Am begins with being blindfolded. You will then be guided to your seat while a band plays in the background. Sing. Breathe. Meditate. Share stories. 9-10:30 p.m. $18 general admission. Teenagers free. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd.

SUN FEB 2

Humanistic Judaism
Rabbi Adam Chalom, dean of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism, discusses “Living Jewish: Intersection of Being & Doing.” 9:30 a.m.-noon. $15. Adat Chaverim Congregation for Humanistic Judaism at the Tarzana Community & Cultural Center, 19130 Ventura Blvd.

How to Combat Hatred
As anti-Semitism engulfs widening sections of the Jewish world, Saba Soomekh of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in conversation with Joshua Holo, dean of Hebrew Union College-Los Angeles (HUC), addresses “Anti-Semitism Today and the Tools to Fight It.” Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, HUC and AJC co-sponsor the program. 4-5:30 p.m. Free. USC’s Doheny Memorial Library, University Park Campus. RSVP at the link above.

TUE FEB 4

“The Pope’s Rabbit”
For 23 years, Pope Francis and Argentine Rabbi Abraham Skorka have been friends — like brothers — which is how the pontiff still addresses him via e-mail or phone. They even wrote a book together: “On Heaven and Earth” in 2010. The “pope’s rabbi” speaks with Rabbi Erez Sherman and Father Ed Benioff. 6:30-9 p.m. Free but non-temple members must register online to access the parking lot. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd. (310) 474-1518.

Ayalon at JNF Luncheon
Danny Ayalon, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and adviser to three Israeli prime ministers speaks at the Jewish National Fund’s (JNF) annual Planned Giving Luncheon at Sinai Temple. Matt Bernstein, JNF’s chief Planned Giving Officer, and Cynthia Hizami, director of Planned Giving, West Coast, also speak. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free. American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. Contact Dan at rsvpla@jnf.org. RSVP required. Click on the link above for more info.

WED FEB 5

Jews of Mexico
Kehillat Israel explores the history and current state of Jews in Mexico in “A Taste of Mexico.” Speakers and a Q&A session follow. RSVP. 6:30 p.m. “A Taste of Mexico.” 7 p.m. speakers. $12. Kehillat Israel, 16019 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades.

Isaac Herzog

State of Our Relations
Are the issues that unite  and divide American Jews and Israel the same from seven decades ago or have they changed with time? Isaac Herzog, chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, who ran for prime minister in 2015, examines the state of relations in a lecture at UCLA. He speaks afterward with professor Dov Waxman, director of the Nazarian Center for Israel Studies, with Q&A to follow. 5:30-6:45 p.m. Korn Convocation Hall, UCLA Anderson School, 110 Westwood Plaza, Room C314, Los Angeles. (310) 825-9646. international.ucla.edu/israel.

Fabian Lijtmaer
Welcome to a pop-up art show featuring dozens of mystical pieces by artist Fabian Lijtmaer, who creates Jewish-inspired works that can transport the viewer into a separate realm. Lijtmaer will be in attendance. Sponsored by AMIT LA NewGen (for young professionals, 20s-40s). Proceeds from art sales and entry fees go toward AMIT’s work in Israel. Hors d’oeuvres and kosher wine. 7:30-9:30 p.m. $24 (or $40 for two). Exhibit A Gallery, 1056 S. Fairfax Ave.


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.

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