SHABBAT UNPLUGGED

After participating in Kabbalat Shabbat services, Jewish singer-songwriter extraordinaire Dan Nichols leads an oneg and a special acoustic set at Temple Israel of Hollywood.  Members are encouraged to participate with their instruments and singing voices. Nichols also performs on Sunday for a community concert. Supported by the Rosenthal Family Arts Fund. 8-9 p.m. Free. Temple Israel of Hollywood, 7300 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 876-8330. https://tioh.org/events/month/2025-01/

KOL TEFILLA

Don’t miss Kol Tefilla, a weekend-long conference at Temple Beth Am, featuring sessions led by the Jewish Studio Project, a Berkeley-based initiative focused on cultivating creativity in a Jewish context, as well as New York-based Renewal movement and artist-in-residence Rabbi David Ingber. Programming includes a Friday morning meditation facilitated by Inger and Beth Am Senior Rabbi Adam Kligfeld; an opening plenary; a Friday night dinner and teaching; and a Saturday night program on “The Place of All Possibility,” drawing on Rabbi Adina Allen’s latest book and unique Torah wisdom. Each program is $30 in advance, $36 at the door. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. For more details, visit tbala.org/community/kol-tefilla/

SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE

At lunch following Beth Jacob’s 9 a.m. Shabbat services, scholar-in-residence Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schachter of Yeshiva University speaks on “Balancing Communal Concerns and Personal Joy.”  Rabbi Schachter also will learn at 7:30 p.m. Motzei Shabbat as he explores the topic, “Defining the Concept of Shalom in Jewish Tradition.” Noon. $90 per person. Beth Jacob Congregation, Rubin Hall, 9030 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 278-1911.https://www.bethjacob.org/event/sir-rabbi-dr.-jacob-j.-schacter.html

“YENTL” MOVIE NIGHT

Via IKAR, Virtually Neighbors is having a watch party, streaming the 1983 Barbra Streisand film “Yentl.” It’s a virtual dinner theater, where you can enjoy the movie with your favorite food and drink. The film will be streamed with an intermission, and followed by  casual conversation  The film, which Streisand also directed and co-stars Mandy Patinkin and Amy Irving, is based on Isaac Bashevis Singer’s short story “Yentl, the Yeshiva Boy.” 4-7 p.m. Free. Details at https://ikar.org/events/virtually-neighbors-movie-night-yentl/.

MLK DAY CONCERT

In advance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Skirball Cultural Center welcomes back to its stage the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, the largest Black majority orchestra in America, for an uplifting and musical evening. More than 100 musicians and choir singers honor the memory and achievements of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Thenonprofit Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles provides opportunities for youth to perform in magnificent settings around the city. 7 p.m. Free. Herscher Hall. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. https://www.skirball.org/programs/martin-luther-king-jr-day-concert

ADVOCACY TRAINING

As part of the Jewish Federation Los Angeles’ Community Service Day, JQ International Advocacy Training in partnership with Repair the World and Temple Israel of Hollywood, are organizing a JQ Training Day. Acquire knowledge about LGBTQIA+ identity and language while building cultural competence. Open to ages 14 and older. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Hollywood address provided to all registrants. https://tioh.org/event/jq-international-advocacy-training/

TORAH DEDICATION

This will be a memorable morning at Kehillat Ma’arav, a Conservative congregation in Santa Monica. A new Sefer Torah is being dedicated with a Champagne Brunch to follow. 10 a.m. Free. Kehillat Ma’arav, 1715 21^st St., Santa Monica. For details, call (310) 829-0566 or visit https://www.km-synagogue.org/calendar/calendar/.

INSTALLATION BRUNCH

The achievements of Roxana Eli, outgoing president of the Sephardic Temple’s board of directors, will be recognized along with fellow board members at the temple’s installation brunch. Josh Marehbian is greeted as the incoming president along with the 2025 board. 11 a.m. $50 members, $60 general, $18 for children of members, ages 2-13, $26 for children of nonmembers. Sephardic Temple, 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 475-7000. https://sephardictemple.org/event/2025-board-of-directors-installation-lunch/

“DEAD SEA SCROLLS”

The Men’s Group of Temple Akiba is leaving Culver City to visit the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, where the “Dead Sea Scrolls”  exhibition is currently on display. Only Men’s Group members are eligible. Attendance is limited to 20 people. Anyone interested in joining the Group should contact Victor Nahmias at VNahmias@aol.com, or visit https://www.templeakiba.net/main-calendar. For additional information about visiting the “Dead Sea Scrolls” exhibit, visit reaganfoundation.org/library-museum/online-ticket-sales/.

JESSE GABRIEL

State Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, assesses the stunning upsurge in antisemitism with American Jewish University President Jeffrey Herbst. During this virtual discussion, “The State of Antisemitism in California,” they will will cover the root causes fueling the nationwide surge in antisemitism, and explain the steps being taken at the legislative level to address and discourage such acts. A Q&A will follow. 11 a.m. Free. https://www.aju.edu/events/state-antisemitism-california-1

AGING DISCUSSION

That growing old can be fun is a minority viewpoint. Here is an opportunity to gain fresh insights into the potential joys of aging from two people who have studied how to age well:Rabbi Laura Geller and Paul Irving, founder and Senior Advisor of the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging. They discuss the “Bright New Possibilities of Older Age.” 2-3:30 p.m. Free. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 300 N. Clark Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737.  For more information, visit https://tebh.org/event/bright-new-possibilities-of-older-age/ or email Admin@ChaiVIllageLA.org.

“LIMBO” SCREENING

What happens in a relationship when the erosion of trust turns into a weapon? That is one theme in the film “Limbo,” the next movie up for discussion by the West Valley Jewish Film Society at HaMakom. Join online or in-person at HaMakom. 7-8:30 p.m Free. HaMakom, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. https://www.hamakomla.org/event/cinema-journey1.html

SKIRBALL MOVIE GROUP

The Skirball Cultural Center invites you to dive into a subgenre of thought-provoking, reality-twisting films intended to captivate, confuse and demand discussion. In the three remaining Tuesday Zoom sessions, hearing the opinions of other viewers may alter your opinions about movies including “Inception,” “Ex Machina,” and “The Prestige.” Remaining dates: Jan. 28, Feb. 11, Feb. 25. 7:30-9 p.m. $100 general, $90 members. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. https://www.skirball.org/programs/skirball-movie-group-mind-bending-films

“ISRAEL IN CRISIS”

Ambassador Dennis Ross, who rose to prominence as an expert on Israel during the George H. W. Bush and Clinton administrations, provides an update on the situation in Israel during this online program sponsored by Jews United for Democracy and Justice. Patt Morrison interviews the 76-year-old Jewish native of San Francisco. 5 p.m.Free. Register at jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/blog/event/january-15-dennis-ross-with-patt-morrison/.

PAINT & SIP

Since some people enjoy painting and others prefer sipping, Temple Beth Am is encouraging those in their 20s and 30s to come to the Conservative synagogue and enjoy both. One goal of the evening: To reconstruct the painting of a margarita at sunset. A pro from the Paint and Sip Studio, L.A., will provide guidance. Open bar. The event is intended for young professionals. 6:30 p.m. $36. Temple Beth Am, Hersch Hall, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7353. https://www.tbala.org/events/20s-30s-paint-and-sip/

“POLITICAL FOOTBALL”

David Wiseman, founder of Follow Team Israel, leads a discussion on “Political Football: Combating Anti-Israel Agendas in Global Sports.” In a webinar with American Jewish University’s Alyssa Silva, Wiseman examines the surge in anti-Israel and antisemitic actions in global sports post-Oct. 7, from media bias to boycotts and protests. The timely discussion offers tools to advocate for fairness in sports. Noon-12:45 p.m. Free. To register, visit https://www.aju.edu/events/political-football-combating-anti-israel-agendas-global-sports.