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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

November 7-14

Thursday, November 7

UCLA HILLEL EXHIBITS

The Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts at Hillel at UCLA invites the community to the opening reception of its Fall 2024 art exhibits. “October 7th: The Morning After” features photographs by Halina Hildebrand. “Holy Sparks” is comprised of 24 female rabbis portrayed by 24 female Jewish artists. “Outsider” is made up of paintings in acrylics and collages by Maury Ornest. And “From the Land of Miracles” features photographs by Wendy Lamm. Reception from 7-9 p.m. Program begins at 8 p.m. Free. Hillel at UCLA, 574 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles (310) 208-3081. https://www.uclahillel.org/dortortevents

“I KEPT WALKING”

Valley Beth Shalom is hosting an evening of learning about the unlikely story of a Persian woman with polio. Dr. Minou Soumekh Michlin’s book is “I Kept Walking,” and she discusses it with Nahid Nancy Rafii. The book is available for purchase. Also, the Lions Club is seeking eyeglasses and cases. 7 p.m. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. https://www.vbs.org/event/conversation-with-i-kept-walking-110724

“IT TAKES TWO TO TORAH”

“It Takes Two to Torah” at Temple Beth Am promises a stimulating matchup between an Orthodox rabbi, Dov Linzer, and Reform journalist Abigail Pogrebin, moderated by Rabbi Adam Kligfeld. They will debate their way through the Five Books of Moses in this program of discussion, learning and a book signing,  organized by the Rembaum Institute. 7:30-9:30 p.m. $18 entry only, $36 entry and book. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. https://www.tbala.org/events/rav-linzer-and-abby-pogrebin/

Friday, November 8

“AFTER: POETRY DESTROYS SILENCE”

Called the first film of its kind, “AFTER: Poetry Destroys Silence,” contains clear guidelines for contemporary writers who are and have been reflecting on the Holocaust. “AFTER,” a documentary that begins a week-long run today at the Laemmle Royal theater, features the thoughts and works of 10 poets. Filmmaker Q&As are held during the opening weekend. Showtimes: 1 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m. $13 general admission; seniors (62 and older) $7 before 6p.m. Laemmle Royal, 22523 Santa Monica Blvd., West L.A. (310) 478-3836https://www.laemmle.com/film/after-poetry-destroys-silence#get-tickets

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE!

Sponsors call it the most popular Shabbat for young adults in town: Sinai Temple’s monthly Ted and Hedy Orden and Family Friday Night Live. The evening opens with a cocktail reception followed by services featuring Rabbi Gavriella Kornsgold and the temple band. Additionally, in partnership with FIDF, an IDF soldier speaks at services. Persian food for dinner. Dinner is exclusively for young adults, ages 21-39. 6:15 p.m. cocktail reception, 7 p.m. Shabbat, 8 p.m. dinner. $33.85. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-ted-zl-hedy-zl-orden-and-family-friday-night-live-in-november-tickets-1034373287347?aff=oddtdtcreator

MEANINGFUL ONEG

B’nai David-Judea is opening its doors to the community for an oneg Shabbat with visiting scholar Rav Dov Linzer. He will discuss “More Than a Bottom Line: P’sak Halacha That Communicates Values.” The oneg is free and open to anyone, whether they’re registered for the dinner or not. 8 p.m. B’nai David-Judea, 8906 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 276-9269. https://www.bnaidavid.com/event/oneg-with-rav-dov-linzer

Sunday, November 10

AIDING FOSTER FAMILIES

The IKAR community is introducing a new social program, hosting foster families one Sunday a month. The goal each time is to provide meaningful support and a needed sense of belonging along what often feels like a long and lonely roadFor more information, contact Sam Hutman at samara@2Nurture.org. 12:30-2:30 p.m. Location provided upon RSVP. More details at https://ikar.org/events/second-nurture-care-collective-2/.

INTERFAITH GATHERING

Temple Judea of Tarzana is inviting its community to participate in the Interfaith Solidarity Network’s “Hope & Gratitude— Gathering for the Common Good,” where everyone’s opinion is welcomed. What did you think of the election? Organizers want to know how you feel about all current events. There’ll be music, too, along with a complimentary lunch. 1-2:30 p.m. Free. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5619 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. RSVP at https://portal.templejudea.com/event/interfaith-solidarity-network-hope–gratitude—gathering-for-the-common-good.html.

HORROR OF KRISTALLACHT

In recognizing the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht, “Night of the Broken Glass,” when Nazis rampaged through the Jewish community, Dr. Mark Bamberger will be at the Holocaust Museum L.A. to present a 100-year family history. The pretext for the attacks was the assassination, on Nov. 9, 1938, of the German diplomat Ernst vom Rath by a 17-year-old Polish Jew. 2 p.m. Free. Holocaust Museum LA, 100 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 651-3704. RSVP at https://www.holocaustmuseumla.org/event-details/kristallnacht-a-family-history.

TASTE OF BEATLEMANIA

The 1960s will come back to life at Temple Beth Am when Debbie Gendler, author of “I Saw Them Standing There: Adventures of an Original Fan during Beatlemania and Beyond,” remembers that momentous time in pop culture. Gendler is the parent of a Pressman Academy ECC alumna. There’ll be Beatles music performed by musicians from Jazz Hands for Autism, which seeks to break stigmas about neurodivergent creatives. Copies of Gendler’s book will be for sale, and she will be on hand to sign copies. Advance RSVPs required. 3 p.m. $18 in advance, $25 at the door. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7353. https://www.tbala.org/events/gendler-book-talk/

Monday, November 11

“INSIDE THE COCKPIT”

Israeli American Council holds an engaging lecture with Tal, an F-16 pilot who will discuss the dilemmas faced by fighter pilots in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the complexities surrounding the perception of Israel worldwide. The discussion is in English. 7:30 p.m. $20. IAC Shepher Community Center, 6530 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills. (818) 451-1201. Iac360.org/iac-events/talkpilott

Tuesday, November 12

NEW U.S. PRESIDENT’S IMPACT

Now that America has a new President, what will be the election’s effect on the Middle East and North Africa, or MENA? In a webinar from the UCLA Center for Middle East Development, Jay Footlik, former assistant to President Clinton; communications strategist Zev Furst; and Professor Steve Zipperstein analyze the election and its global effect. The discussion is titled “The New U.S. President and the Impact on the MENA Region.” A Q&A follows. 10 a.m. Free. Register at https://www.international.ucla.edu/israel/event/16835.

ZIONIST YOUTH MOVEMENT

American Jewish University Public Fellow William Deresiewicz, a best-selling author, will reflect on the 1970s and ‘80s, his formative years when he was in Young Judea, a progressive Zionist youth movement. Deresiewicz said the experience changed his life. For the online conversation “How Zionist Youth Movement Changed My Life,” he will be joined by Rabbi Pinchas Giller, chair of Jewish studies at AJU. 5 p.m. Free. Register athttps://www.aju.edu/events/how-zionist-youth-movement-changed-my-life.

VBS BOOK CLUB

When the Valley Beth Shalom Book Club plunges into its next subject, “The Wolf Hunt, a novel by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen,  a lively conversation isguaranteed. The novel follows an Israeli family  who moves to the Silicon Valley, where amother suspects her son of a horrible crime. 7:30-9 p.m. Bernstein Balcony Seminar Room, Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000. Additional VBS Book Club meetings held Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 4 and March 4. For more information, visit https://www.vbs.org/event/vbs-book-club-24-25.html.

HOLY SMOKES BBQ CLASS

Dani from Holy Smokes Kosher BBQ leads a barbecue masterclass sponsored by the women of Beth Jacob’s Young Professionals community. There will be demonstrations and tastings for an evening of Texas-style fun. 7:30-9 p.m. $54. Beth Jacob Congregation, 9030 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 278-1911. https://www.bethjacob.org/event/holy-smokes-bbq-masterclass-meat-demo-and-tasting-.html

Wednesday, November 13

ELLIOT DORFF ON ETHICS

Rabbi Elliot Dorff, one of the most popular figures in American Jewish University history, delivers his third and final presentation: “Jewish Ethics for a Meaningful Life.” It’s based on his new book, “Ethics at the Center: Jewish Theory and Practice for Living a Moral Life.” The online-only discussion is held at noon. While the series is free, AJU requests a $36 donation. https://www.aju.edu/events/rabbi-elliot-dorff-jewish-ethics-meaningful-life-part-3-speech

ISRAEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Sinai Temple, in partnership with Israel21c, convenes a meaningful discussion about Israel, employing sometimes-surprising insights and tools from the latest research, “Israel on Social Media.” Wine-tasting and bites provided. 7 p.m. RSVP by Nov. 11 to confirm your attendance. Details provided upon RSVP. Contact events@israel21c.org or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdD4ZbKKzAdZzTI3XNpWyvTWIAR8YhUNHwN7HD6Tc5FrsXflw/viewform.

ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL

The 36th Israel Film Festival’s opening night gala happens tonight at the Steve Tisch Cinema Center at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills. The event honors Mattel Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ynon Kreiz with the festival Industry Leadership Award. Israeli actor Shaike Levi of the comedy trio HaGashash HaHiver will receive the IFF Lifetime Achievement Award. Opening night: 7 p.m. Festival screenings — which include “Halisa,” “The Milky Way” and “Matchmaking 2” — will be held through Nov. 26.  Opening night: Saban Theater, 8440 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills. Other films at various locations. For the line-up of films, tickets and additional information, call (310) 247-1800 or visit israelfilmfestival.com.

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