What’s Happening: Paddleboarding Prayer, Hiking, Roseanne Talk

Find out what’s happening in Los Angeles this week. Events include Paddleboarding Prayer, Hiking, charity, Tashlich and a talk with Roseanne Barr.

Friday Sept. 14

GUY BRANUM

“There are a lot of bald, homosexual, fat guys who have books,” Jewish writer-actor-comedian Guy Branum recently said on Conan O’Brien’s show. Branum (“The Mindy Project,” “Awkward”) is one of them.

He will be performing — and no doubt mentioning his new book, “My Life as a Goddess.” Also, Casey Ley, voted by readers of the San Francisco Weekly as their city’s best comic in 2012. $20, plus two-item minimum. 10 p.m. Flappers Comedy Club and Restaurant, 102 E. Magnolia, Burbank. (818) 845-9721. flapperscomedy.com.

“LOVE, GILDA” AND “WENDY’S SHABBAT”

The Calabasas Film Festival screens the documentary “Love, Gilda,” which looks back on the life and career of Gilda Radner, and the short film “Wendy’s Shabbat,” which follows a group of senior citizens who celebrate Shabbat at a local Wendy’s restaurant. Radner, a founding performer on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” charmed audiences with beloved characters such as the confused Emily Litella and nerdy Lisa Loopner. Directed by Lisa Dapolito, the Radner film incorporates audio recordings, interviews with Radner’s friends and home movies. “Wendy’s Shabbat” screens on Saturday. “Love, Gilda”: 7 p.m. $30. Motion Picture and Television Fund Campus, 23388 Mulholland Drive, Woodland Hills. “Wendy’s Shabbat”: Saturday, 1 p.m. $12. Edwards Calabasas Stadium 6, 4767 Commons Way, Calabasas. (747) 226-3310. For ticket information visit CFF’s website. 

Saturday Sept. 15

DOWN TO THE RIVER

East Side Jews invite you to its Days of Awesome annual pilgrimage to the Los Angeles River for an evening of fun, food, storytelling and community. Featuring exercises with Amie Segal, tashlich led by Rabbi Susan Goldberg and live music. Catering by Dune; open wine bar. 21 and older. 6:30 p.m. $40. Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park, 2944 Gleneden St., Los Angeles. (323) 663-2255. For more information visit SIJCC’s website.

Sunday Sept. 16

KEVER AVOT

It’s traditional to visit the graves of loved ones around the High Holy Days, and three local cemeteries are holding Kever Avot services open to the public. Rabbi John Rosove of Temple Israel of Hollywood and Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels of Beth Shir Shalom lead the service at Hillside Memorial Park on the Westside, with Cantors Shelly Fox of Temple Israel, Linda Kates of Leo Baeck Temple and Patti Linksy providing songs and musical accompaniment. Mount Sinai Memorial Parks is holding services at its Hollywood Hills and Simi Valley locations. Rabbi Nicole Guzik and Cantor Marcus Feldman of Sinai Temple lead the services. In Hollywood, they are accompanied by the Sinai Temple Choir, directed by Aryell Cohen. In Simi Valley, the UJA Choir, directed by Noreen Green, will provide music. In the spirit of tzedakah, donations of food are greatly appreciated. Free. Hillside Memorial: 10 a.m.; 6001 West Centinela Ave., West Los Angeles. (310) 641-0707. hillsidememorial.org. Mount Sinai: Hollywood Hills, 10 a.m., 5950 Forest Lawn Drive; Simi Valley: 1 p.m., 6150 Mount Sinai Drive. Pre-register here.  

PADDLEBOARDING AND PRAYER

To help get your spiritual life in balance, join Temple Isaiah’s Rabbi Joel Nickerson for a stand-up paddleboard and prayer event to welcome in the New Year. No paddleboard experience is necessary, but participation does require some core strength and balancing skills. 9:30 a.m. $40 board rental, or bring your own board. Malibu Surf Shack, 22935 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. (310) 277-2772. For more information click here.

OCEAN TRAIL JOG AND BRUNCH

NuRoots, a group dedicated to building a community for young Jewish professionals, wants to get the New Year off to a healthy start with its Ocean Trail Jog and Brunch. All levels of runners are welcome to participate in a 4-mile, progressive run between the Santa Monica and Venice Beach piers, which starts off slow and easy and picks up speed. A group brunch follows at Big Dean’s Oceanfront Café. Meet at 10 a.m. at 1615 Ocean Front Walk, just south of the Santa Monica Pier. Free. Call Warren at (703) 402-1416 with any questions, or register online.

PJ LIBRARY HIKES LA

The PJ Library, which provides free books on Jewish values and culture to families with children age 11 or younger, and The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles are hosting a mile-long hike across some of the loveliest undeveloped parts of Hollywood. Bring water, sunblock, a hat and comfortable walking shoes. The hike is for humans only, so leave your dog at home. Meet at 10:45 a.m. at the first gate of the Hollywood Reservoir and look for the PJ Library flag. The hike starts promptly at 11 a.m. Free. 2751 Lake Hollywood Drive, Los Angeles. RSVP at mfritzen@jewishla.org by Sept. 14.

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE BIRTHDAY BASH 

Planning a birthday party for a special needs child can be tough, but the Friendship Circle, which provides a full range of social, recreational, educational and Judaic experiences for Jewish children with special needs, can help. Special needs children ages 4 through 20 whose birthdays fall in July, August or September are invited to the first of the organization’s quarterly birthday bashes. Each child will be accompanied by a volunteer as they engage in outdoor activities, singalongs, a moon bounce and games. Every child receives a goody bag and birthday cake. Children from sixth grade and up are welcome to volunteer. 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Free. 1952 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. RSVP to Rivky@fcla.org or call (310) 280-0955.

FOOD ON FOOT

Join Rabbi Kalman Topp and his fellow Beth Jacob Congregation members to help distribute prepackaged food to the homeless, and to participate in an awards ceremony for the workers in the Work for Food program. Graduates of the program leave a life of homelessness by earning a full-time job, receiving housing and completing life-skills education. Free on-site parking. Donations of gently used clothing and blankets appreciated. 3-5:15 p.m. 1625 Schrader Blvd., Hollywood. RSVP at (310) 278-1911. Visit their website for more information.

TASHLICH

Members of the IKAR community participate in the traditional High Holy Days tashlich ceremony, when Jews cast off their sins to start fresh for the New Year,
at Santa Monica Beach. IKAR members ages 16 and older are invited to arrive at 3 p.m. to participate in a beach cleanup. Tashlich ceremonies 4-5:30 p.m. Free. Santa Monica Beach, Lifeguard Station 26, at Ocean Park Boulevard. (323) 634-1870.

SELICHOT CONCERT

Middle East meets West L.A. when the Sephardic Educational Center presents its annual Selichot concert at the Kahal Joseph Congregation. The program features a half-dozen rabbis and cantors performing a Selichot service accompanied by an ensemble of musicians from Lebanon, Syria and other Middle Eastern countries playing the music of their homelands. Refreshments served and valet parking provided. Doors open 6 p.m., concert begins 7 p.m. $15. Kahal Joseph Congregation, 10505 West Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. For reservations or more information, email info@secjerusalem.org.   

JEFF GARLIN

Chicago-born comedian Jeff Garlin performs in West Hollywood. The Jewish funnyman is known for his roles on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and ABC’s “The Goldbergs.” 8:30 p.m. $30. Largo at the Coronet, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 855-0350. For more information visit their website.

Monday Sept. 17

IS AMERICA A FORGIVING NATION?

On erev Yom Kippur, comedian Roseanne Barr appears in conversation with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach about repentance and atonement. David Suissa, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Jewish Journal, moderates the discussion. The event comes three months after Barr’s tweet comparing former President Barack Obama aide Valerie Jarrett to an ape led to the cancellation of her hit ABC television show, “Roseanne.” Boteach is an Orthodox rabbi and author whose books, including 1999’s “Kosher Sex: A Recipe for Passion and Intimacy,” also have riled many. Doors open 6 p.m. Program starts 7 p.m. $20. The Saban Theatre. 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 271-0873. Tickets available at Eventbrite.

YOM KIPPUR STORYTIME

A reading of the book “Sammy Spider’s First Yom Kippur” is held at the Zimmer Children’s Museum. Children and parents will hear the most important lesson Sammy learns on his first Yom Kippur: the value of an apology. This special PJ Library Story Time event is followed by an art activity. For children from 6 months to 8 years. 3-4 p.m. $5 per adult and per child ages 1-17 with RSVP. Zimmer Museum, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 761-8984.

Thursday Sept. 20

THE ART OF THE ETROG

In advance of Sukkot, Rabbi Sam Roten-berg, leader of the Atid young professionals group at Sinai Temple, discusses how to choose the perfect etrog. Should it be yellow? Green? How do you impress your friends with your etrog knowledge? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn tasty facts about Sukkot’s iconic citrus. 7:30-9 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518. Fore more information click here.