LAG B’OMER SHABBAT

Temple Ramat Zion in the North Valley promises fireside smores to celebrate Shabbat and the holiday of Lag B’Omer in a bonfire setting along with a BYOB dairy dinner. It’s a unique celebration for the whole family. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Temple Ramat Zion, 17655 Devonshire St., Northridge. (818) 360-1881. https://www.trz.org/event/fire-side-shabbat-and-log-b39omer.html

SHABBAT TAKE ME HIGHER

Spend Kabbalat Shabbat with the Open Temple. The progressive synagogue’s unique Take Me Higher Shabbat celebration near Venice Beach features Rabbi Lori Shapiro and the Open Temple Band. The program includes Disruptive Ritual, Performance Art, Torah and Music. 7-9:30 p.m. $18 donation requested. The Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice. (310) 821-1414. opentemple.org/shabbat-takemehigher/

AKIBA MITZVAH DAY

This is a huge community day – a doubleheader in Culver City – for families and others at Temple Akiba. An urgent blood drive gets underway at 8:30 a.m. Donors are encouraged to contact redcrossblood.org to schedule donation times. The 18^th annual Mitzvah Day at Akiba also starts at 8:30 a.m. The temple supports 20 nonprofit organizations to help those facing hunger, lack of housing and isolation. All participants welcome. Donations of $18 per person; $36 per family requested. Blood Drive, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mitzvah Day, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Temple Akiba, 5249 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. (310) 398-5783. RSVP at https://templeakiba.shulcloud.com/form/mitzvah_day_2025

ISRAEL UNITY NIGHT

It will be a night of strength and solidarity when musician Matisyahu, Dr. Gad Saad and freed Israeli hostages take the stage at the Saban Theater. More than a night of good music and a chance to show support for Israel, the show is a benefit for the Nova Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting Oct. 7 survivors and their families, and Young Israel of Beverly Hills, which is hosting the former hostages. 7:30 p.m. (Doors at 7:00 p.m.). Tickets $132.18.  Saban Theater, 8440 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills. (323) 655-0111. https://www.axs.com/events/900255/israel-unity-night-with-matisyahu-gad-saad-tickets?skin=saban

JUDEA MITZVAH DAY

A day of giving back at Temple Judea in Tarzana begins with its annual Blood Drive, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., with participants being urged to make plans via the Red Cross. Among the Mitzvah Day activities, happening 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., are writing letters to IDF soldiers as part of the Lone Soldier project, making beaded eyeglass chains, creating comfort blankets and making dog toys. 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Temple Judea, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana.

https://portal.templejudea.com/event/mitzvah-day-2025.html

“SCHOENBERG IN HOLLYWOOD”

The opera, “Schoenberg in Hollywood,” is an affectionate tribute to Arnold Schoenberg, one of the most influential artistic figures of the 20th century and former UCLA professor of music composition in the ‘30s and ‘40s. The Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience and The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music present the West Coast premiere of Tod Machover’s opera, “Schoenberg in Hollywood,” at the UCLA Nimoy Theater. 4 p.m. May 19, 20, 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets begin at $30.64. UCLA Nimoy Theater, 1262 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 825-2101.https://schoolofmusic.ucla.edu/schoenberg-in-hollywood/

SINAI TEMPLE GALA

“Song and Celebration” is the theme of Sinai Temple’s annual Gala when Cantor Marcus Feldman will be honored, with a special tribute being directed to Ruth Pilot and Family. The evening opens with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Celebration Co-Chairs are Jane and Larry Cohen; Sherri and Brian Ghodsian; and Sepideh Makabi and Robin Nourmand. Honorary Chair is Judy Fischer. Cocktail attire. Dinner, dancing and a musical program highlight the evening. 5 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner. Free; dinner tickets $300. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518. https://www.sinaitemple.org/event/sinai-temples-2025-annual-gala/

IDAN AMEDI

Making his first appearance in the United States, Israeli singer-songwriter-actor Idan Amedi, born to a Kurdish Jewish family and raised in Jerusalem, performs in concert at the Peacock Theater, formerly Microsoft Theater. Amedi, known for his role on Netflix drama “Fauda,” was injured in Gaza while serving in the IDF reserves. His current U.S. tour marks his triumphant return to the stage since his harrowing injury in battle. Notably, the tour also marks the Israeli performer’s first time appearing onstage in the United States. 8 p.m. $124-$241. L.A. Live Peacock Theatre,777 Chick Hearn Court, Downtown L.A. (213) 763-6020. https://www.peacocktheater.com/events/detail/idanamedi051825

HUNGARIAN GENEALOGY

Join Jewish Genealogical Society of LA (JGSLA) and Temple Beth Am for a discussion on “Hungarian Genealogy and Heritage Travel.” Vivian Kahn, who direct JewishGen’s Hungarian research division and chairs the programs committee for the California Genealogical Society, discusses the Jews of Hungary, heritage travel and genealogy research. 1-3 p.m. Free for Beth Am, JGSLA members, $5 general. Temple Beth Am, Hersch Hall, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7353. tbala.org/events/hungarian-genealogy-heritage-travel/

JEWS, PALESTINIANS DIALOGUE

In collaboration with Standing Together, a progressive grassroots movement mobilizing Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel for peace and social justice, Holocaust Museum LA is hosting a dialogue workshop providing tools for difficult conversations. Participants will be encouraged to practice such conversations. Facilitators to be announced. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Holocaust Museum LA, 100 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 651-3704. https://www.holocaustmuseumla.org/event-details/listening-to-understand-a-dialogue-workshop

DAYS OF DIALOGUE

Congregation Kol Ami invites all to an evening of thoughtful discussion in partnership with Days of Dialogue, a Los Angeles-based organization dedicated to facilitating meaningful and respectful conversations on complex topics. Tonight’s topic is Israel and Palestine, focusing not on solutions, but on how Jews can model compassion, curiosity and active listening — especially when holding differing perspectives. 7 p.m. Free. Congregation Kol Ami, 1200 N. La Brea Ave., West Hollywood. (323) 606-0996. https://www.kol-ami.org/event/days-of-dialogue.html

DAVID AXELROD

David Axelrod, who gained prominence as chief strategist for both of President Barack Obama’s winning campaigns, is Madeleine Brand’s guest on the weekly Zoom program “America at a Crossroads.” The subject: “Can our American Democracy Survive Today’s Challenges? The Observations of a Keen Observer.” 5 p.m. To register, visit https://www.jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/upcoming-programs/.

MAYIM BIALIK

“An Evening with Mayim Bialik,” a timely presentation at Sinai Temple, features the award-winning actress, neuroscientist and podcast host discussing the mental health crisis facing the country’s youth. Appearing with her partner, Jonathan Cohen, Bialik records an episode for her podcast, “Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown.” Afterwards, she answers questions from Sinai Temple Senior Rabbi Nicole Guzik. 7:30-9 p.m. $36 general admission, $180 includes reserved section and VIP private reception. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518. Purchase tickets at sinaitemple.org.

“THE ART SPY”

Based on newly discovered documents, “The Art Spy,” a forthcoming book by Michele Young, uncovers the remarkable story of Rose Valland, an unlikely heroine who infiltrated the Nazi art-looting headquarters to save a cultural legacy. Appearing on Zoom, Holocaust scholar Michael Berenbaum of American Jewish University interviews the author about a previously unknown story that took place in Paris during World War II. Noon-12:45 p.m. Free. Register at https://www.aju.edu/events/art-spy-rose-vallands-fight-against-nazi-art-looters.

CANTORIAL RECITAL

Wilshire Boulevard Temple invites the community to a Senior Cantorial Recital by Erev Cantor Aliya Stuart at its Resnick Campus. Erev Cantor Aliya sings and shares some of the essential pieces that have shaped her journey into the cantorate, featuring musical guests from across the nation. This concert is in partial fulfillment of ordination as cantor by the Academy of Jewish Religion, California. Stuart has been a cantorial soloist for more than a decade. For more than 20 years, she has been singing, acting, dancing and writing songs. Free, RSVP required. 6:30 p.m. Dessert follows. Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 11960 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. Register at https://www.wbtla.org/event/~occur-id/24580865.