Rabbi Joachim Prinz and Martin Luther King Jr. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SHABBAT SERVICES
FRI JAN 12
“I HAVE A DREAM” SHABBAT
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., Shomrei Torah Synagogue is holding a tot Shabbat service led by Cantor Jackie Rafii and Education Director Adrianne Pasternak. “I Have a Dream”-themed artwork by children will decorate the worship space. Service, 6–6:30 p.m.; catered Shabbat dinner, 6:30 p.m. Dinner: adults $18, kids free. Shomrei Torah Synagogue, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. (818) 854-7693. stsonline.org.
MLK WEEKEND AT ADAT ARI EL
The 2014 documentary film “Joachim Prinz: I Shall Not be Silent,” about the German-American rabbi, civil rights leader and Zionist activist, screens at Adat Ari El synagogue. Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m.; dinner (RSVP required), 7 p.m.; screening, 8:15 p.m. Dinner, $21. On Jan. 13, an afternoon discussion explores Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s contributions to the civil rights movement. 1 p.m. Free. Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 766-9426. adatariel.org.
TEMPLE EMANUEL SHABBAT SPARK
Shabbat Spark, an inspirational Shabbat service at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, celebrates a year of social justice study at the shul. Sixth- and seventh-grade students lead Shabbat alongside the Soul Singers and the Shabbat Spark Band. Dinner follows the service. Live stream at tebh.org/livestream. 6:15 p.m. Free. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, Corwin Family Sanctuary, 300 N. Clark Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737. tebh.org/sparkdinner.
KOL TIKVAH MLK SHABBAT SERVICE
Kol Tikvah Associate Rabbi Becky Hoffman, Cantor Noa Shaashua and musical guests Dr. Dee and the Sacred Praise Chorale participate in services in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. 6:30–8 p.m. Free. Kol Tikvah, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 348-0670. koltikvah.org.
SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE TO HONOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
Rev. Ben McBride, co-director of PICO California, the largest multiracial, faith-based community-organizing network in the state, shares his motivational message of peacemaking and transformation: What does it mean to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in today’s political and social moment? Open your heart and mind to prayer, song, words of the Torah and the prophetic call to do justice in our time. 7:30–9 p.m. Free. Leo Baeck Temple, 1300 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 476-2861. leobaecktemple.org.
ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. UNITY SHABBAT
The Ted and Hedy Orden & Family Friday Night Live welcomes Rabbis Nicole Guzik, Erez Sherman and Jason Fruithandler; Cantor Marcus Feldman; Rev. John-Paul Foster; poet Rick Lupert; and musicians Craig Taubman, Aqua Marina and the HB Barnum Life Choir for a celebration of the iconic civil rights leader. 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Feit Family Shabbat Live welcomes Pastor Mark Whitlock, the COR AME Choir and actor Stuart K. Robinson for a special event. 10:45 a.m. (Services begin at 8:45 a.m.) Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518. sinaitemple.org.
FRI JAN 19
VOICES OF UNITY: INTERFAITH PRAYER EXPERIENCE”
Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities honor the vision of Martin Luther King Jr. with an evening of music, mutual respect and peace. Participating congregations are Temple Aliyah, St. Bernardine of Siena Parish, the Word of Encouragement Church, the Greater Zion Church Family, the Ezzi Masjid Center and the Islamic Society of the West Valley. 8 p.m. Free. Temple Aliyah, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 346-3545. templealiyah.org.
FRI JAN 12
ITZHAK PERLMAN AND THE L.A. PHIL
Renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman shares a wide-ranging program as both conductor and soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The musical program features Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Brahms’ “Variations on a Theme of Joseph Haydn” (opus 56A) and Elgar’s “Enigma Variations” (opus 36). 11 a.m. Also 8 p.m. Jan. 13. Tickets $20–$215. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com.
SAT JAN 13
“THE STATE OF ISRAEL: 70 YEARS YOUNG”
Jonathan Davis, vice president for external relations at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel, and a military veteran, will discuss the Jewish state at a Shabbat service lecture. Davis, who was educated at Columbia University and Hebrew University of Jerusalem, served on the Syrian-Iraqi border during the Yom Kippur War. Co-sponsored by the Jewish Journal. Free. Service, 9:30 a.m.; lecture, 11:30 a.m. The Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills. Limited seating; RSVP is urged at info@beverlyhillssjc.org. (310) 276-4246. beverlyhillsjc.org.
“FREUD’S LAST LESSON”
Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, and C.S. Lewis, the British novelist and Christian apologist, talk about God, sex and the meaning of life in “Freud’s Last Session” by Mark St. Germain. Starring Monty Rayner and Martyn Stanbridge; directed by Robert Mandel. Tickets start at $45. 8 p.m. Through March 4. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda, Los Angeles. (310) 477-2055, ext. 2. odysseytheatre.com.
SUN JAN 14
“WHY CONVERSOS MATTER”
Temple Ramat Zion’s Adult Education and Breakfast Program presents Rabbi Devin Villarreal, chair of the Jewish Studies department at deToledo High School, who will discuss ways to create a school environment that fosters Jewish commitment, meaning and growth through the implementation of rigorous and soulful curricula. $13. Breakfast, 9 a.m.; program, 9:30 a.m. Registration requested. Temple Ramat Zion, 17655 Devonshire St., Northridge. (818) 360-1881. trz.org.
“CHALLAH RISING IN THE DESERT”
The documentary “Challah Rising in the Desert: The Jews of New Mexico” premieres in Los Angeles at the Skirball Cultural Center. In the film, the braiding of the challah bread is a metaphor for the five waves of settlement of the New Mexico Jewish community, including conversos escaping the Spanish inquisition 400 years ago, German Jewish pioneers of the Santa Fe Trail in the 1800s, and Jews in the 1960s seeking the counterculture of New Mexico’s unique landscape. A Q-and-A follows with director Isaac Artenstein and co-producer Paula Amar Schwartz — along with a sampling of green chile challah. 3 p.m. General admission $12, full-time students $8. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.
“ROE AT 45”
The National Council of Jewish Women Los Angeles (NCJWLA) presents reproductive justice advocate Dr. Willie J. Parker, recipient of the 2013 Physicians for Reproductive Health Dr. George Tiller Provider Award and Planned Parenthood’s 2015 Margaret Sanger Award. The doctor will be the featured guest speaker at a program illustrating the experiences of women seeking abortions and the legal, financial and personal barriers they face. Free. RSVP required. 5–7:30 p.m. NCJWLA Council House, 543 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. ncjwla.org.
THU JAN 18
SECRETS OF ‘SHARK TANK’ SUCCESS
Julie Whiteman, who with her husband, Brian, appeared on a Season 5 episode of “Shark Tank” to pitch their idea about Groovebook, will discuss how they got their idea, how they launched their business — acquired by Shutterfly for $14.5 million — and the behind-the-scenes secrets of the reality TV show that features aspiring entrepreneurs. Sponsored by the Woodland Hills chapter of JNET, a business networking organization for the Jewish community. More than 250 business professionals, entrepreneurs, owners and representatives from companies all over Los Angeles are expected to attend. Appetizers and desserts served. Free. Reservations required. 6–8:30 p.m. Temple Aliyah, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Los Angeles. jnetjanuary.com.
“THE LEGAL AND FINANCIAL WAR AGAINST TERROR”
Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, an Israeli activist and attorney who has led the legal fight against the financing of terrorism, anti-Israel boycott campaigns and the “lawfare” tactics utilized against Israel, participates in a book signing and lecture at the Beverly Hills Jewish Community. Co-sponsored by the Jewish Journal. Book signing, 7 p.m.; lecture, 7:30 p.m. Free. Private home adjacent to The Beverly Hills Hotel. Limited seating; RSVP is urged at info@beverlyhillsjc.org. (310) 276-4246. beverlyhillsjc.org.
“THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY AND THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY”
Steven Windmueller, professor of Jewish communal service at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, discusses the American Jewish community and President Donald Trump. The lecture is part of a three-part series designed to explore key factors shaping American Jewish life for future decades. 7:30 p.m. Free. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7353. tbala.org.
COMEDIAN DANIEL WEINGARTEN
Writer, comedian and actor Daniel Weingarten brings to the stage his fresh, multicultural (Mexican, Argentine, Jewish) perspective about his life and the world at large. $18 (two-item minimum). 18 and older. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Hollywood Improv, 8162 Melrose Ave., Hollywood. (323) 651-2583. hollywood.improv.com.
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