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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN JEWISH LA

by Ryan Torok and Ari L. Noonan

To submit an event organized by a Los Angeles organization, please email calendar@jewishjournal.com

March 15-21

Friday, March 15

ADDICTION RECOVERY SHABBAT

Temple Beth Am is among the synagogues – B’nai David-Judea, IKAR, Adat Shalom, Sinai Temple, Bamidbar, Beit T’Shuvah and Soberman’s Estate & Shtibl –celebrating Addiction Recovery Shabbat. Following Kabbalat Shabbat services, a community dinner and learning session features Rabbis Matt Shapiro and Chaim Tureff discussing “What’s Jewish about Addiction and Recovery?” On March 16, learning sessions follow the start of Mincha. March 15: 6:15 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat. $36 per adult (ages 13-and-up) for Shabbat dinner, $22 ages 6-12, $15 ages 2-5. March 16: 6:15 p.m. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7353. https://www.tbala.org/communityshabbat

SHARED HERITAGE SHABBAT

Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts Founding Rabbi David Baron welcomes Michael Fisher, senior pastor of Greater Zion Church Family from Compton, CA, as well his congregation and the 35-member Voices of Destiny Gospel Choir, to participate in the temple’s Shared Heritage of Freedom Shabbat Service. During this fun and moving worship experience, Cantor Ilysia Pierce will be celebrating her 25th anniversary as part of the temple’s clergy. Additional participants include Music Director Sharon Farber. 8 p.m. Free. Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts, 8444 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (323) 658-9100. bhtota.org

Saturday, March 16

“FREEDOM SONG”

The Beit T’Shuvah traveling play, “Freedom Song,” will be performed for the Ahavat Torah Congregation at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church. “Freedom Song” interweaves a Passover seder with personal stories of addiction by addicts who presently are in recovery and broken off the shackles of drugs, alcohol, gambling, and other destructive behaviors. Expect song and dance, tears and laughter. 1:30 p.m. St. Bede’s, Parish Hall, 3590 Grand View Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (310) 625-3146 or email ahavattorah2022@gmail.com. ahavattorahla.org/events

OUTDOORS GROUP

At Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, Rabbi Liora Alban hosts monthly outdoor events, blending Jewish learning with getting to know each other in the freedom of open spaces. Today’s attraction is a picnic dinner and Havdalah, in Roxbury Park, with each participant bringing his own food. 5-7 p.m. Roxbury Park, 471 S. Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737. https://tebh.org/outdoors-group/

Sunday, March 17

“ORDINARY GIRLS”

Since this is Women’s History Month, playwright Elin Hampton presents her new work, “Ordinary Girls,” at the Holocaust Museum LA. In a staged reading and conversation, it recounts the experiences of three teenage girls who are recruited by the Dutch underground during WWII to seduce and assassinate Nazi officers. 5-6:30 p.m. Free. Holocaust Museum LA, 100 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. https://www.holocaustmuseumla.org/event-details/staged-reading-ordinary-girls

AJRCA GALA

Four rabbis and Chaplain Marlene Canter will be honored at the Academy for Jewish Religion| CA Gala where the theme is “Then and Now.” Rabbis Stan Levy, Stephen Robbins and Mordecai Finley will be recognized as AJRCA Founders. The Inaugural Founders Award will go to Rabbi Mel Gottlieb. Chaplain Canter will accept the inaugural Visionary Award.        5-8 p.m. $275. Loyola Marymount University, University Hall, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles. (213) 884-4133. https://ajrca.edu/event/gala2024/

“WHAT ABOUT US?”

Seven years ago, Maagalim Community Circles embarked on a journey to create a musical performance uniting young adults with diverse abilities. At Valley Beth Shalom, Maagalim’s newest production, “What About Us?” spotlights 10 young adults who will display their singing, dancing and drumming skills. 5:30 p.m. $20. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 253-9618.  https://www.maagalimcircles.org/musictickets

WHISKEY TASTING

Join Mishkon Tephilo for its second annual tasting of whiskeys from around the world, led by Rabbi Sammy Rosenbaum. Fun will be had delving into the mysteries of this ancient beverage mentioned in the Megillah of Esther. Rabbi Rosenbaum leads whiskey tastings and teaches Torah to Jews with discerning palates in both. He says, “From Islay to Kentucky, Jerusalem to Los Angeles, whiskey and Torah connect us to one another and to tradition.” 5-8 p.m. Suggested donation: $36 members, $50 nonmembers. Mishkon Tephilo, 206 Main St., Venice. (310) 392-3029. mishkon.org/event/whiskey-tasting1.html

“YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE”

The Braid presents a show featuring true, contemporary Jewish stories of deep yearning and bold dreams. They explore leaving one’s home and settling in a new one. An acclaimed memoirist examines the ironic pain of celebrating a seder while being kicked out of their home in Egypt, and an American adoptee from China finds inspiration in a surprising place. Noon. $45 general, $20 members, seniors, students. Skirball Cultural Center, Magnin Auditorium, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. Skirball.org.

IRANIAN JEWISH WOMEN

In time for Nowruz, the Persian Jewish New Year, the 2024 Lee Endowed Lectureship examines “Weaving the Tapestry of Ancestry and Modernity: The Next Generation of Iranian Jewish Women in Literature and Academia.” Speakers include Journal columnist Tabby Refael, Saba Soomekh, Gina Nahai, Tina Hay and Jasmine Lawi. Organized by USC Casden Institute, Sinai Temple and the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles. A reception follows. 5:30 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, Barad Hall, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518.https://www.sinaitemple.org/event/weaving-the-tapestry-of-ancestry-and-modernity-the-next-generation-of-iranian-jewish-women-in-literature-and-academia/

Monday, March 18

PURIM BAKERS WORKSHOP

Ready for Purim? Seeking new baking tips and tricks? Kahal Joseph Congregation and the Sephardic Educational host an Adar evening, featuring the the Journal’s food columnists, The Sephardic Spice Girls, and Mickey Kahtan of Mickey Bakes when you can learn to create traditional Sephardic treats. Bake and take home. All profits benefit the soldiers of the IDF. 7 p.m. $72. Kahal Joseph Congregation, 10505 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-0559. https://www.kahaljoseph.org

PURIM MURDER MYSTERY

Trybal Gatherings Ambassadors offers a night of intrigue and suspense at its Purim Murder Mystery Masquerade. Can you solve the crime before midnight strikes? For the event, held a few days before Purim, Trybal teams up with the Murder Mystery Company, which brings professional improv actors along. There will be … a murder! Will you be able to figure out who the culprit is? 7 p.m. arrive, mingle, assign roles, light appetizers. 7:30-9:30 p.m. “Murder Mystery.” $35. The Phoenix Bar and Restaurant, 8480 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles. (202) 536-2929. eventbrite.com/e/purim-murder-mystery-masquerade-tickets-855684594657?aff=oddtdtcreator

PURIM NIGHT

The theme of Purim night at Temple Israel of Hollywood’s 2024 Purim spiel, for ages 21-and-over, is “Shushan Barbenheimer!” TIOH congregant and comedian Dan Levy performs, and attendees enjoy themed cocktails, costumes and dinner. Tickets required. 6:30 p.m. Temple Israel of Hollywood, 7300 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 876-8330. tioh.org/event/purim-night-2024/

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