What’s Happening: ‘Chichester Psalms,’ ‘Torah L.A.,’ Poker Tourney

FRI DEC 14

Women’s March L.A.
One month before the Jan. 19 Women’s March Los Angeles, Women’s March L.A. founder and Temple Isaiah congregant Emiliana Guereca Zeidenfeld appears as the Friday night Shabbat speaker at Temple Isaiah. In conversation with Co-Senior Rabbis Joel Nickerson and Dara Frimmer, Zeidenfeld shares the history and philosophy of the Women’s March and addresses recent controversies, including allegations of anti-Semitism lodged against the organization’s leaders. A Q-and-A follows. 5:45 p.m. pre-oneg; 6:15 p.m. Shabbat service. Oneg and dinner follow. 8 p.m. conversation. Free. RSVP required for oneg and dinner. Temple Isaiah, 10345 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 277-2772.

Rimonim Shabbat
Valley Beth Shalom’s final Rimonim Shabbat of the year features dancing, singing, prayers and a promise to transform participants. “Rimonim” is Hebrew for “pomegranates,” and tradition teaches that each pomegranate contains hundreds of colorful seeds representing the 613 good deeds each Jew must perform. As one good deed leads to another, the goal is for the sacred music of a Rimonim Shabbat to inspire those present to perform an act of lovingkindness. Dress is casual. 6 p.m. snack and schmooze. 6:30 p.m. Rimonim service. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000.

Zimriyah Choral Shabbat
An evening of tefilah and music at Adat Ari El features the L.A. Zimriyah Chorale performing the late Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms,” under the direction of Nick Strimple. Dinner follows. The chorale prayer experience is in place of the 6 p.m. Shabbat service. 6:45 p.m. dinner. 8:00 p.m. service. $24. Service is free. Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 766-9426.

SAT DEC 15

Broza & Friends
Israeli singer and guitarist David Broza continues his annual holiday tradition of performing Israeli and Spanish songs that carry a message of peace, love and understanding. Broza displays his multiple linguistic talents when he sings in Hebrew, English, Spanish and Arabic. He brings the full body of his work to the stage with the backing of the New York-based “Trio Havana,” led by flute virtuoso Itai Kris. Additional special guests slated to perform. 7:30 p.m. $64–$109. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. (310) 434-3200.

SUN DEC 16

“1945”
A rural Hungarian village whose residents feel guilty about their complicity in World War II is the setting for the film “1945,” which follows two Holocaust survivors returning home after being liberated from concentration camps. The survivors’ presence reminds the residents of how they stole Jewish property years earlier. After the screening, a discussion follows on today’s political and racial oppression and what moral responsibility Jews may share in it. 9:30 a.m.–noon. Free. University Synagogue, 11960 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 472-1255. RSVP to jimruxin@yahoo.com.

Poker Tournament

holds its seventh annual Texas Hold ’em Poker Tournament. Professional dealers, prizes, business and personal sponsorship opportunities and even mini massages by professional masseuses highlight the event. If you do not play poker, take lessons before the tournament or enjoy casino games, drinks and dinner while others are competing. Or, hang out in the sports lounge and watch the L.A. Rams –Philadelphia Eagles game on a big-screen TV. Must be 21 to attend. Volunteer opportunities available. 4 p.m. doors open. 4:30 p.m. poker lessons. 5 p.m. tournament. $175 tournament entry. $80 non-poker entry. Kol Tikvah, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 348-0670 ext. 214.

Moving Beyond Hate 
Tim Zaal, a former Skinhead who now works for the Museum of Tolerance’s Hate to Hope program, appears in conversation with Temple Beth Am Rabbi Matt Shapiro. Some of Zaal’s past racist and political affiliations include serving as L.A. recruiter and propagandist for the White Aryan Resistance and director of the Southern California chapter of the Hammerskin Nation. After an audience Q-and-A with Zaal, Matthew Friedman, senior associate regional director at the Anti-Defamation League, assesses the current state of white supremacy. 7 p.m. Free. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7353.

Orthodox Union Convention: ‘Torah L.A.’
The annual four-day Orthodox Union West Coast Convention concludes with “Torah L.A.” Exploring the theme of “Family First: Torah Perspectives for Today’s World,” rabbis discuss topics including “Strengthening Our Relationships,” “Current Halachic Controversies” and “Family Relationships in Tanach.” Free and open to the public. Pre-registration required. 9:15 a.m.–noon. YULA Boys High School, 9760 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. RSVP at adlerl@ou.org/yarmusd@ou.org or (310) 229-900, ext. 200 or 201.

“Big Ideas, Bold Future”
This entry in American Jewish University’s “Big Ideas, Bold Future” series features AJU’s vice president, Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, and UCLA professor/co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center Daniel J. Siegel tackling some big questions: What is consciousness? What is the relationship between brain and mind? How do thinking and feeling connect? How does our awareness connect us to the world around us? What can we do to hone our consciousness for good? The two scholars will approach them from different perspectives in a wide-ranging and mind-expanding discussion. 4 p.m. $10. AJU Familian Campus, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. (310) 440-1572.

MON DEC 17

Yula Comedy Night
The lineup at YULA Girls High School’s annual Comedy Night includes Mark Schiff, Eli Lebowicz, Don McMillan, Michael Rayner, Brian Kelly and Sunda Croonquist. Enjoy an evening of food, drink and laughter. 6:30 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. Advance purchase: 1 ticket $125, 2 tickets $200. At the door: 1 ticket $135, 2 tickets $225. VIP preferred seating $500, includes 2 tickets. The Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 203-0755.

TUE DEC 18

“According to Oslo”
Members of IPF Atid, the young professionals network of the Israeli Policy Forum, spend an evening of conversation with Mor Loushy, co-director of the 2018 documentary, “The Oslo Diaries.” Clips of the film will be shown and Loushy will discuss the film, which follows the unsanctioned peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians in the 1990s. Ages 21-39 only. Beverages and kosher desserts served. 7:30–9 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd. (310) 474-1518.

WED DEC 19

JNet Holiday Party
It is holiday party time for the Pacific Palisades branch of JNET, which means enjoying dinner, entertainment and door prizes with the Jewish community’s business networking group. For the final JNET meeting of the calendar year, all are welcome, including first-timers. 6:30–9:00 p.m. Free. Kehillat Israel, 16019 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2328.

THU DEC 20

Herb Alpert and Manhattan Transfer
Stepping into the downtown spotlight to celebrate the holidays with a doubleheader, jazz icon Herb Alpert and singer Lani Hall, Alpert’s wife of 41 years, along with the Manhattan Transfer headline an evening of familiar melodies at Walt Disney Concert Hall. 8 p.m. $49–$99. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave. (323) 850-2000.

L.A. Jewish Community Sing
People of all ages, regardless of musical experience, come together to sing, socialize and schmooze at Sinai Temple’s monthly Jewish Community Sing. Michelle Green Willner leads the program, accompanied by guitarist Chris Haller, pianist Jeffrey Silverman, and drummer Scott Beardman. Kosher refreshments provided. 8–9:30 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd. (310) 474-1518.

Have an event coming up?  Send your information two weeks prior to the event to ryant@jewishjournal.com for consideration. For groups staging an event that requires an RSVP, please submit details about the event the week before the RSVP deadline.