FRI MARCH 9
SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA
Congregations Hollywood Temple Beth El, Hillel at UCLA, Congregation Kol Ami and Pacific Jewish Center celebrate Shabbat as part of the 22nd annual Shabbat Across America and Canada, a National Jewish Outreach Program initiative. Singles, couples, families and people of all ages are invited to the explanatory services, traditional rituals, delicious meals and lively discussions. Various times, prices and locations. For more information, call (646) 871-4444. For a full list of participating synagogues visit njop.org/programs/shabbat/saac.
UNPLUG L.A. | EASTSIDE
Jewish organizations Reboot and East Side Jews celebrate Shabbat at an off-the-grid, unplugged party, marking Reboot’s fifth annual, device-free commemoration of the National Day of Unplugging. Attendees check their phones at the door before enjoying an evening of live music, spoken word, storytelling, arts and crafts, food trucks and more. Performers include comedian Danny Lobell, spiritually charged band Bles’d, country-folk acoustic duo S+M, poet Rachel Kann, self-proclaimed pop culture guru Erika Brooks Adickman and actress Avital Ash. Writer and producer Jessie Rosen (“Sunday Night Sex Talks”) hosts. For ages 21 and older. 7–11 p.m. $18. The Box @ SIJCC, 1110 Bates Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 663-2255. sijcc.net/east-side-jews.
CHARLEMAGNE PALESTINE
An installation by conceptual artist Charlemagne Palestine, born Chaim Moshe Tzadik Palestine, continues with his collection of 18,000 discarded stuffed animals. The orphaned plush bears, Disney characters and cuddly bunnies are a metaphor for the tens of thousands of refugees in the world today. Palestine, who began his career singing sacred Jewish music, brings a maximalist sensibility to this whimsical display. Through April 15. Wednesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free. 356 Mission, 356 S. Mission Road, Los Angeles. (323) 609-3162. 356mission.com.
SAT MARCH 10
RABBI JOSEPH TELUSHKIN
Spiritual leader, scholar and author Rabbi Joseph Telushkin delivers the Saturday morning talk on the weekly Torah portion at modern Orthodox synagogue Young Israel of Century City (YICC). Telushkin’s rare local appearance is one of three he is making during his weekend-long visit to Los Angeles. On Saturday afternoon at Pat’s Restaurant, he participates in a luncheon discussion on “The 50 Best Jewish Jokes and What They Say about the Jews.” On Saturday night at a private Pico-Robertson residence, he discusses “The Rebbe: Teachings That Will Change Your Life.” Address provided upon RSVP at pvaldez@jnf.org or (323) 964-1400, ext. 958. YICC event: 9 a.m. Free, no RSVP required. Young Israel of Century City, 9317 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 273-6954. yicc.org. Saturday luncheon: 12:30 p.m. Pat’s Restaurant, 9233 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. To RSVP and purchase tickets call YICC at (310) 273-6954. yicc.org.
“CROSSING OUR RED SEA”
Comedian Melanie Chartoff and actors Kate Zental, AJ Meijer and Tiffany Mualem stage a dozen original stories transforming the Passover story into contemporary Jewish women’s theater. The actors will perform the piece at six L.A. locations through March 26. An art exhibition of the same name, featuring 11 local female artists re-examining the Passover story through painting, sculpture, photography, textile design and ceramics, coincides with the opening night performance of the theater work. The exhibition runs through April 30. The free art talk with the curator and the artists begins at 7 p.m. Stay for the 8 p.m. salon show. Tickets are required for the performance. $40 presale, $45 at the door. The Braid, 2912 Colorado Ave., #102, Santa Monica. (310) 315-1400. jewishwomenstheeatre.org
SUN MARCH 11
“A SEPHARDIC ANTIQUE ROADSHOW”
The Sephardic experience and the history of Sephardic Los Angeles come alive during this show-and-tell event. Members of the public share their collections of Sephardica, including photographs, family albums, travel documents, family heirlooms and ritual objects, while archivists, rare-book experts and historians evaluate the meaning and importance of the materials. Participants will gain context surrounding their memories and family histories. Kosher refreshments provided. 2–4 p.m. Free. UCLA, Charles E. Young Research Library, Los Angeles. (310) 267-5327. uclasephardic.com.
MATZO BALL RUN
Promoting wellness, togetherness and community, the second annual Matzo Ball Run, a 5K run/walk, raises funds for local day school Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy. Lace up those running shoes and turn out for this fitness-fun event, which also features a kids’ fun run for the little ones. A portion of the proceeds benefits Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. 6:30 a.m. onsite registration; 8 a.m. 5K run/walk; 9 a.m. kids’ fun run. $40 adults advance registration; $50 adults day of event; $30 kids’ fun run advance registration; $36 kids’ fun run day of event. Dockweiler State Beach, 12000 Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey. matzoballrun.com.
“ANTI-SEMITISM AND ISLAMOPHOBIA IN THE MIDDLE AGES AND TODAY”
Historians Sara Lipton and Hussein Fancy examine the fraught status of Jews and Muslims in Western Europe during the Middle Ages and discuss the often-entwined histories of these two groups, both of whom were cast as outsiders. Jihad Turk, president of the Claremont School of Theology, moderates the discussion, which sheds light on contemporary issues as well. The event is part of the temporary exhibition, “Outcasts: Prejudice and Persecution in the Medieval World,” which explores how medieval manuscripts’ caricature and polemical imagery can educate about historical prejudices against Jews and Muslims, among other groups. 3 p.m. Free. Getty Center, Harold M. Williams Auditorium, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles. getty.edu.
KOL SEPHARDIC CHOIR AND FLAMENCO DANCERS
Celebrate Sephardic culture with Ladino music and flamenco dancers. Performers include Pasion Flamenca de Los Angeles, a contemporary flamenco fusion dance group, and flamenco and classical guitarist Adam del Monte. $25 general, $30 preferred seating. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. brownpapertickets.com.
“ROADMAP JERUSALEM”
Filmmaker and Adat Shalom Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz screens “Roadmap Jerusalem,” a documentary exploring the connection between Jerusalem and the Jewish people. The short film examines the biblical, archaeological and political history of the holy city and argues for Israeli control. A Q-and-A with Lebovitz follows the premiere. 7 p.m. cocktail hour featuring Israeli wine, 7:45 p.m. film screening. Free. Adat Shalom, 3030 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 475-4985. adatshalomla.org.
MON MARCH 12
“NO MORE ‘SAME-OLD’: A MIDEAST IMBUED WITH NEW ALLIANCES”
Felice and Michael Friedson of The Media Line, an American news agency dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy fact-based news from the Middle East, discuss their first-hand experiences of accurately representing the most complex conflicts and countries in the world. The Friedsons have six decades of experience between them in TV, print and radio journalism and have propelled Media Line to become one of the most prolific providers of Middle Eastern news content to the region and the world. 7 p.m. Free. Beverly Hills private residence. Location provided upon RSVP to info@beverlyhillsjc.org (310) 276-4246. beverlyhillsjc.org.
TUE MARCH 13
“LA RAFLE (THE ROUNDUP)”
The 2010 film, “La Rafle,” recounts the true story of the infamous Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup of July 1942 in Paris, when the Nazis forced 13,000 Jews into an indoor velodrome before deporting them to Auschwitz. The film, screening at American Jewish University, focuses broadly on the Nazis and their collaborators, including the Vichy government and the French police. A post-screening discussion features writer-director Rose Bosch, historian Michael Berenbaum and Consul General of France in Los Angeles Christophe Lemoine. 7:30 p.m. $8. American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 476-9777. wcce.aju.edu.
WED MARCH 14
“UCLADINO SYMPOSIUM: NEW DIRECTIONS, OLD ROOTS”
The seventh annual ucLadino Judeo-Spanish Symposium focuses on themes and issues relating to new and up-and-coming topics and approaches within the study of Ladino and Sephardic life and culture. Panels and lectures explore current projects aimed at preserving, sharing and transmitting Ladino-related texts, music and archival material, including UCLA’s own Sephardic Archive Initiative. Hebrew University of Jerusalem Professor David Burns and St. Mary’s College of Maryland Latin-American History Associate Professor Adriana Brodsky deliver the keynote addresses. Through March 15. 10 a.m. Free. UCLA, Royce Hall 314, Los Angeles. (310) 267-5327. cjs.ucla.edu.
THU MARCH 15
“A CONVERSATION ABOUT MODERN ORTHODOXY”
Rabbis Dov Linzer and Jeremy Wieder, leaders of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School and the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, respectively, discuss “Between Values, Observance and Purpose: A Conversation About Modern Orthodoxy.” The panelists examine the complex dynamic in the Modern Orthodoxy community, where religious observance and religious values are both definitional to Jewish life. Moderated by Rabbi Ari Segal, head of school at Shalhevet High School. 7:45 p.m. Free. Beth Jacob Congregation, 9030 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills. (323) 930-9333. shalhevet.org.
“LAST GIRL BEFORE THE FREEWAY”
AUTHOR LESLIE BENNETTS
Best-selling author Leslie Bennetts discusses “Last Girl Before the Freeway: The Life, Loves, Losses and Liberation of Joan Rivers,” an intimate biography of the legendary comedian, an icon and role model to millions. Rivers set a precedent of honest femininity in public life,
never afraid to break barriers and push boundaries. Bennetts and journalist Tess Cutler unpack Rivers’ legacy. 7:30 p.m. $10. Burton Sperber Jewish Community Library, American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 476-9777. wcce.aju.edu.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.