WHAT’S HAPPENING IN JEWISH LA
To submit an event organized by a Los Angeles organization, please email calendar@jewishjournal.com
September 4-10, 2026
Friday, September 4
TINY TOT SHABBAT
It’s the first Friday of the month, and at Temple Akiba, it’s time for special Shabbat services that are geared toward children who are too young to start at the ECC. Bring your babies (up to two years old) for story time, music, singing and fun with clergy and staff and meet other families with young children. Tiny Tot Shabbat is always free and open to the community. 9 a.m. Temple Akiba, 5249 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. (310) 398-5783. RSVP at https://templeakiba.shulcloud.com/form/TinyTotShabbat.
SHABBAT UNDER THE STARS
Leo Baeck Temple invites you to celebrate Shabbat with an outdoor service led by Rabbi Kenneth Chasen and Rabbi Lisa Berney. Join the soulful and nourishing Baeck community either in-person or via livestream. As usual in for a Shabbat Under the Stars, picnic tables will be available prior to services for those who would like to bring their own dinner and enjoy the company of community. 7:30 p.m. Free. Leo Baeck Temple, 1300 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 476-2861. https://leobaecktemple.org/#calendar
Saturday, September 5
MISHKON TOT SHABBAT
Join Mishkon Tephilo in the Venice area for a joyful and interactive Tot Shabbat service with music and storytelling, followed by grape juice and challah on the bimah with Rabbi Joshua Katzan and a kiddush lunch with the congregation. Tot Shabbat is hosted once a month and is tailored to children 6 and younger. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Mishkon Tephilo, 206 Main St., Venice. (310) 392-3029. Learn more and RSVP at https://www.mishkon.org/event/community-tot-shabbat.html.
TORAH LEARING
David Sacks, spiritual leader of the Happy Minyan in Pico-Robertson, brings a powerful sense of optimism and confidence in HaShem to his two weekly presentations: Torah Insights every Shabbat morning, 8:30 a.m., and “Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World,” Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Happy Minyan, 9311 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. happyminyan.org
SANTA MONICA SHABBAT
On Saturday morning, Kehillat Ma’arav, a Conservative synagogue in Santa Monica, offers the Jewish community two ways to celebrate Shabbat: in-person or via Zoom. Services begins at 9:30 a.m. Kehillat Ma’arav, 1715 21st St., Santa Monica. (310) 829-0566. https://km-synagogue.org/calendar/calendar/
SHABBAT AND CHILL
The historic Shul on the Beach kicks off the first Saturday of every month with “Shabbat and Chill,” an elevated Shabbat experience featuring delicious catered cuisine, amazing people, and plenty of time to schmooze, connect and unwind. 9:30 a.m. Shacharis, 10:30 a.m. Torah reading, 12:30 p.m. kiddush, 12:50 p.m. lunch. Free, $15 suggested donation. Shul on the Beach, 505 Ocean Front Walk, Venice Beach. (310) 392-8749. RSVP required at https://bit.ly/4gGp9fE.
HIGH HOLY DAYS 101
The High Holy Days’ hour are only a week away, and in Santa Monica, the Beth Shir Shalom community welcomes you with three kinds of events: The last chance to attend its High Holy Days class, from 4-6 p.m. , followed by a Selichot dinner at 6 p.m., and a candlelight Selichot service at 7 p.m. Beth Shir Shalom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 453-3361.
“SING TO GOD’S NAME”
Welcome to a new and rousing way to begin gaining elevation as Rosh Hashanah approaches. B’nai David-Judea, a Modern Orthodox community, is bringing a musical Selichot to its Pico-Robertson community this year, as Josh Singer leads the Orthodox shul, and the musicians of B’nai David accompany him and awaken your spirit. 10:30 p.m. B’nai David-Judea, 8906 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 276 – 9269.https://www.bnaidavid.com/event/Selichot5786
SELICHOT IN WOODLAND HILLS
On the eve of the High Holy Days, the Kol Tikvah congregation of Woodland Hills celebrates Selichot three different ways. Start with a 45-minute Selichot study session at 7:15 p.m. Since no happy occasion is complete without food, join the congregation in Selichot wine-and-cheese at 8 p.m. Finally, Selichot services close the evening at 9 p.m. Kol Tikvah, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 348-0670.https://www.koltikvah.org/happenings/full-calendar/
“FROM SELICHOT TO TOMORROW”
Begin the High Holy Days season with “From Selichot to Tomorrow: The Future of Judaism,” a meaningful Selichot service followed by a timely conversation with leading voices from the Los Angeles Jewish community. Rabbis Malachi Kanfer, Dara Frimmer, Rebecca Schatz, Adam Kligfeld, Rabbi Cantor Hillary Chorny, Cantor Marcus Feldman and Benjamin Fingerhut explore the evolving landscape of Judaism, the challenges and opportunities ahead and how we can shape the future of Jewish life together. Participating synagogues are Kehillat Ma’arav, Temple Isaiah, Temple Beth Am and Sinai Temple. 8:15-9:30 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518. RSVP at https://www.sinaitemple.org/event/from-selichot-to-tomorrow-the-future-of-judaism/.
SELICHOT UNDER THE STARS
Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills Senior Rabbi Jonathan Aaron leads a Sound Bath at 6:30 p.m., followed by wine, cheese, and light refreshments at 7:30 p.m. and the Selichot service at 8 p.m. Join the TEBH community for an evening of music, prayer, meditation and reflection in preparation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 300 N. Clark Drive, Beverly Hills. Open to the general community. (310) 288-3737. https://tebh.org/selichot/
Sunday, September 6
MAESTRO OF THE MOVIES
A Congregation Kol Ami delegation joins other admirers of composer John Williams at the Hollywood Bowl. The ultimate concert celebration of Williams, the man who has composed the soundtrack to our lives, features selections from his iconic scores — “Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones,” “Harry Potter,” “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park” and more. There will be over 50 minutes of specially edited scenes and clips from Williams’ best-loved scores. This loving tribute to the greatest musical storyteller of our time is a feast for the eyes and ears. BYO picnic at 5:30 p.m. Evening continues through 10 p.m. Kol Ami tickets are in Section M1. $59 for members, $65 for nonmembers. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Los Angeles. https://www.kol-ami.org/event/maestro-of-the-movies-a-tribute-to-john-williams.html
Monday, September 7
LIFE TRANSITIONS GROUP
Beth Chayim Chadashim’s broad Life Transitions Group is for those who are dealing with losses, changes in relationships, or career, social, family or health issues. Build emotional strength by sharing your feelings with others in a supportive and confidential atmosphere. The Life Transitions Group is led by social worker Shirley Hirschberg. Contact the BCC office to see if this group is for you. The group meets twice a month. Please, no drop-ins. 7 p.m. Beth Chayim Chadashim, 6090 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 290-6139. https://www.bcc-la.org/calendar/
Tuesday, September 8
SACK LUNCH COLLECTION
The hunger of needy people never retreats. And at Hamakom in West Hills, the Social Action Committee conducts a monthly sack lunch collection. Each sack should contain a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, an orange or banana, a small water bottle, and a snack. Bring to the Hamakom parking lot between 9-10 a.m. Hamakom, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. (818) 854-7650. For more information, email Zygi Boxer at zygibox@gmail.com or visit hamakomla.org.
SEPHARDIC SELICHOT
Prepare for the High Holy Days with an evening of Selichot music featuring renowned chazzanim and distinguished vocalists, including Shlomi Shaul, Nicholas Hylander and Rabbi Cantor Dudu Dery. The concert celebrates the beauty and emotion of Sephardic Jewish musical traditions while incorporating Ashkenazi melodies, offering an opportunity to reflect and prepare spiritually for the High Holy Days. 7:30-9:30 p.m. 18 members; $26 nonmembers and at the door. Sephardic Temple, 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 475-7000. https://sephardictemple.shulcloud.com/form/selichot-concert-2026.html
ROSH UNPACKED
Even though we celebrate the Jewish New Year every year, it can be hard to remember what Rosh Hashanah is really about. Join Rabbi John Carrier, senior rabbi and director of Jewish education at American Jewish University, for “Rosh Hashanah Unpacked,” an engaging, online-only crash course exploring the meaning, liturgy, customs and big ideas behind Rosh Hashanah. Gain the essentials you need to participate in the holiday with greater confidence. He’ll also be teaching a Yom Kippur Unpacked crash course on Sept. 15. Attend one or both sessions. 6:30-8 p.m. $30 single class or $50 for both. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rosh-hashanah-unpacked-a-crash-course-with-rabbi-john-carrier-registration-1996531068170?aff=oddtdtcreator
RAV SELA’S ELUL CIRCLE
At this time of the Jewish calendar, it’s not uncommon for synagogues to prepare their communities for the High Holy Days with a series of classes. At Temple Ramat Zion, Rav Ahud Sela is known for providing uniquely insightful lessons for TRZ members. 7:30 p.m. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Temple Ramat Zion, 17655 Devonshire St., Northridge. (818) 360-1881. https://www.trz.org/event/rav-sela39s-torah-class.html