What’s Happening: Boyle Heights, ‘GI Jews’ and Distant Cousins

SAT NOV 24

Amos Oz — Shabbat Lunch and Learn
The work of Amos Oz, one of Israel’s best-known living authors, is the subject of the latest Shabbat Lunch and Learn class at Sephardic Temple, part of the series called “Masters of Prose: Great Israeli Writers.” 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Free. Sephardic Temple, 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. To RSVP, call (310) 475-7000 or email melissa@sephardictemple.org.  

“Remembering Boyle Heights”
“Remembering Boyle Heights” — an audience participatory, immersive and theatrical celebration — brings to life the early history, stories and memories of Boyle Heights, once the heart of the Jewish community of Los Angeles, while revealing the mythical and human dimensions of the neighborhood that was called the “Ellis Island of the West” Panel discussions follow select performances. Through Dec. 16. Fridays and Saturdays, 7:45 p.m.; Sundays, 4:45 p.m. Tickets $15, $17, $19.99. Tickets with dinner or desert $19.99, $29.99, $39.99. Casa 0101 Theater, 2102 E. First St., Los Angeles. (323) 263-7684.

SUN NOV 25

Hanukkah Drum Circle
Make Hanukkah crafts and enjoy sweet holiday treats with South Bay families at the JKidz Club Hanukkah drum circle and gathering at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach. 3–5 p.m. $10 family admission. Polliwog Park, 1601 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach. (424) 543-4648.

TUE NOV 27

JNF Breakfast for Israel
Alon Ben-Gurion, grandson of Israel founding father David Ben-Gurion, speaks at the Jewish National Fund’s annual Breakfast for Israel. Ben-Gurion is committed to seeing his grandfather’s dream of making the Negev desert bloom a reality and uses his hospitality business to promote development in the Negev. Israel’s Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked also delivers a greeting. 7:30–9 a.m. Free. The Beverly Hilton, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (323) 964-1400, ext. 966.

“Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East”
A panel discussion on “Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East: Power, Politics and Regional Threats” examines nuclear proliferation issues in the Middle East in light of the recent U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement with Iran. Speakers are former UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale, a specialist in arms control and national security; Chen Kane, director of the Middle East Nonproliferation Program at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies; and David Menashri, professor emeritus at Tel Aviv University. UCLA School of Law professor Kal Raustiala moderates. 6–7:45 p.m. Free. UCLA Fowler Museum, Lenart Auditorium, 308 Charles E. Young Drive North, Los Angeles. (310) 825-9646.

“Home is Where the Heart Is: A Biological Reunion”
Thirty years after being taken away from her parents and given up for adoption, singer-songwriter Jenni “Cami” Alpert began searching for her birth father, Don. When she found him, he was a homeless, toothless drug addict. Their reunion forms the basis of this concert and presentation, which they lead. Actress Mayim Bialik (“Big Bang Theory”) moderates a Q-and-A. 7:30 p.m. Free. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7353.

“When the World Comes Crashing Down”
Sinai Temple Rabbi Sam Rotenberg addresses the young professionals of Sinai Temple’s Atid program about “When the World Comes Crashing Down” — what Judaism teaches in regard to surviving, and even thriving, in a violent time. Attendees are encouraged to donate to the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles’ L.A. Wildfire Relief Fund. 7:30–9:30 p.m. Free. For people in their 20s and 30s. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518.

L.A. Jewish Symphony Kids Concerts
Culminating a two-month education outreach program, the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, with conductor Noreen Green and soloist Cantor Marcelo Gindlin, presents an interactive concert for third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students at Valley Beth Shalom Day School. The one-hour performance celebrates Jewish-Spanish music and history. 11 a.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom Day School, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino; Another concert takes place on Dec. 3 at Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 646-2844.

WED NOV 28

“Conversations With God”
Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, vice president of American Jewish University, tackles the question, “What difference does God make in a human life?” during “Conversations with God,” a series that runs for eight Wednesday evenings at Valley Beth Shalom. VBS Senior Rabbi Ed Feinstein hosts the series — open to rabbis, scholars and thinkers — which continues through Jan. 9. 7–9 p.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000.

“Myth Makers and Breakers”
How did Israel shape Israeli music? How has Israeli music changed Israel? A musical celebration of Israel’s 70th birthday features Daniel Stein Kokin leading an exploration of seven iconic Israeli songs: three myth makers, three myth breakers and one that takes off in a new direction. The professor of Jewish literature from Germany, who is a visiting professor at UCLA, also highlights the songs’ original artists with film clips of their performances. 7 p.m. $15. American Jewish University’s Familian Campus, Sperber Jewish Community Library, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-1572.

THU NOV 29

Ayelet Shaked
[UPDATED DATE] Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked speaks at Beth Jacob Congregation about the “Internal and International Challenges of the Jewish People.” A computer engineer, Shaked is the only secular woman in the leadership of the Jewish Home party, which is to the political right of Netanyahu’s Likud party and is opposed to any evacuation of West Bank settlements. 7:30–9 p.m. Free. Beth Jacob Congregation, Shapell Sanctuary, 9030 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 278-1911.

“Shabbat in Your Home”
Adat Ari El Senior Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe Bernhard leads a monthly workshop for parents of school-age children designed to bring the rituals and philosophy of Shabbat into the home. Gatherings are hosted in homes of participants. If interested in participating and/or hosting, contact Diana Weinberg at dweinberg@adatariel.org. 7:30–9:30 p.m. Free. RSVP required. (818) 766-9426.

“GI Jews”
The PBS documentary “GI Jews: Jewish Americans in WWII” — which tells the story of American Jewish troops who fought against fascism, helped save European Jews and assisted survivors of Nazi concentration camps — screens at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. After years of struggle, these soldiers emerged transformed, determined to continue the fight for equality at home. 7:30–9:30 p.m.  Free. Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Irmas Westside Campus, 11661 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles.  (213) 388-2401.

Distant Cousins
Los Angeles-based folk-pop trio Distant Cousins perform songs exploring the group members’ deep connections and a variety of musical genres. Their original music is the collaboration of its members, Ami Kozak, Dov Rosenblatt and Duvid Swirsky. They appear at The Mint. Zev the Wolf opens. Ages 21 and over. Doors 7:30 p.m. Show 8 p.m. $12 in advance, $15 day of show. The Mint, 6010 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 954-9400.