What’s Happening: ‘Grease’, A Very Jewish Xmas, Matzoball

FRI DEC 21

‘Grease’ Sing-Along
It’s the one that you want — the one that you really want: After services at Temple Isaiah, enjoy a dinner of Chinese food accompanied by a community sing-along of tunes from the John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John film “Grease,” marking its 40th anniversary. Temple members are invited to attend in 1950s-era costumes. 5:45 p.m. pre-oneg. 6:15 p.m. Shabbat services. Free, RSVP required. Temple Isaiah, 10345 W. Pico Blvd. (310) 277-2772.

Chinese Nosh. What Else?
Recalling the favorite food of many Jews in this month, Kol Tikvah announces it has the good “fortune” to serve Chinese-inspired Shabbat appetizers for all who “wok” to the synagogue. 5:45 p.m. appetizers and socializing; 6:30 p.m. musical Kabbalat Shabbat services, led by Cantor Noa Shaashua. Kol Tikvah, 20400 Ventura
Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 348-0670.

Nefesh Shabbat
Strike up the (Nefesh) Band for an entertaining Shabbat service at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. Every first and third Friday night of the month, Rabbi Susan Goldberg is joined by the Nefesh musicians. 6:30 p.m. potluck meal; 7:30 p.m. services.  free. Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 3663 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 388-2401.  

Imam Speaks at VBS
To commemorate the fourth yahrzeit of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, Imam
Jihad Turk is the guest speaker after services and dinner at Valley Beth Shalom; on Dec. 22, Rev. Mark Whitlock is the guest lecturer on Shabbat at lunch after services. Turk is the founding president of the groundbreaking Bayan Claremont Islamic Graduate School. An Orange County pastor, Whitlock is director of community initiatives at USC’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture. VBS hosts are Rabbi Ed Feinstein and Malkah Schulweis. Dec. 21, 5 p.m. Erev Shabbat minyan. 6 p.m. dinner, by reservation only. $42. 7:45 p.m.
dessert and lecture, open to the public. Free. Dec. 22, 9:45 a.m. services. Noon, Kiddush lunch. 12:15 p.m. guest lecture. Open to the public. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Register for dinner at (818) 530-4009.

SAT DEC 22

Celebrating Winter Solstice
The Living Room returns to the Pico Union Project with a five-hour winter solstice celebration featuring new collaborators and live music. Deanna’s Pop-Up Shul is an interactive experimental service featuring Deanna Neil exploring Jewish texts with musical interludes. Food by Zavi’s kitchen; live music by Formerly Alien, Abby Litman and Jason Chu. 5-7 p.m. Deanna’s Pop-Up Shul. 8-8:30 p.m. Havdalah. 8:30-11 p.m. live music, $15. The Pico Union Project, 1153 Valencia St., Los Angeles. (213) 915-0084.

Moshav at the Mint
American-Israeli rock group The Moshav Band, which recently released its Shlomo Carlebach-influenced “Shabbat Vol. 1,” brings its act to The Mint on the Saturday before Christmas. Moshav was “discovered” in the ’90s by college students who raised money to bring the band to the U.S. for a tour of college campuses. Moshav since has made Los Angeles its base. Also: reggae-fusion band Gidon. 7 p.m. Gideon, 8 p.m. Moshov performance. 18 and older.  $15 for 21 and older; $20 for younger than 21. The Mint, 6010 W. Pico Blvd. (323) 954-9400.  

SUN DEC 23

“A Very Jewish Chinese Christmas”
“Once a year, on the eve of Christmas, families and friends gather by the warmth of the wok for a very special meal. Such is the duty of the Jew on Christmas.” In that spirit,  the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre presents “A Very Jewish Chinese Christmas,” with a cast that includes Jonny Svarzbein, Laura Siegel, Heather Sundell and others. 11 p.m. $7. UCB Theatre, 5919 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 908-8702.

Dinner for the Underprivileged
Calling all volunteers — children and adults — to fill 10 shifts (some are age-appropriate) over two days to set up and serve Temple Israel of Hollywood’s Christmas dinner at the Hollywood United Methodist Church. Dec. 22, three shifts are open for all ages, starting at 10 a.m. Additional volunteer opportunities for ages 13 and older on Dec. 25; shifts begin at 6:30 a.m. Hollywood United Methodist Church, 6817 Franklin Ave., Hollywood. Temple Israel of Hollywood, 7300 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 876-8330. Register to volunteer here.

MON DEC 24

Jokes for Jews
Delivering “Jokes for Jews — Standup Comedy for People Who Feel Passed Over,” Flappers Comedy Club showcases celebrity comedians on Make ’Em Laugh Monday, which coincides this year with “Oy Vey, It’s Christmas Eve.” Joshua Snyder, Adam Feuerberg, Amanda Cohen and Adam Warshaw perform in the Main Room. 8 p.m. $20. Flappers Comedy Club and Restaurant, 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. (818) 845-9721.

Merry Erev Christmas
For the seventh year, Elon Gold presents “Merry Erev Christmas” at the Laugh Factory with a lineup of performers. 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. $85 VIP, priority $60, general admission $40. The Laugh Factory, 8001 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 656-1336.

Christmas Eve at Laemmle
It has become a Southern California Jewish tradition over the past decade to enjoy a screening of “Fiddler on the Roof” at one of the eight Laemmle theaters, where audiences are urged to sing along with familiar tunes, with a conversation to follow. Prizes will be awarded. Guests are encouraged to arrive in costume. Town Center, 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Town Center; Ahrya Fine Arts; Playhouse; Glendale; Royal; NoHo7; Isaac Wade,
Monica Film Center; Arthur Benjamin, Claremont 5. 7:30 p.m. $18. (310) 478-1041.

A Time to Laugh
On Christmas Eve, actress Cathy Ladman (“Modern Family,” “Tonight Show”) headlines Comedy Night at Shomrei Torah Synagogue. She will be joined by Marty Ross from The Improv, Susan Kolinsky (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and Steve Bluestein, seen at Caesars Palace and the Riviera Hotel. 7:30 p.m., doors open. 8 p.m., show. $50, front row. $36, general admission, $40 at the door. Shomrei Torah Synagogue, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. (818) 854-7650. To reserve tables, contact Ron Freeman at (818) 703-6003.

Matzoball at the Argyle
MatzoBall, a nationally prominent Jewish singles event for three decades, launches on Christmas Eve what USA Today has called “the No. 1 holiday party of the year.” Hosted by The Argyle Hollywood, MatzoBall is expected to sell out. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. $40-$50. The Argyle Hollywood, 1600 Argyle Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 461-1600.

The Tribal Ball
Touted as the largest Jewish singles event in Los Angeles for 11 consecutive years, The Tribal Ball convenes in a new venue, Poppy, known as an exclusive nightclub. Jet-setters are among the anticipated crowd of nearly 1,000. Formerly known as LetMyPeopleGo.com’s “The Ball,” its stated goal is to “return class, genteel conduct, style and refinement to Christmas Eve Jewish parties.” Featuring two DJs. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $35-$500. Poppy, 755 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 855-7185.

TUE DEC 25

“On the Basis of Sex”
After a year in which the biographical account of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s career, “Notorious RBG,” won acclaim, Christmas Day brings the release of a feature film about her life, “On the Basis of Sex.” Academy Award-nominee Felicity Jones (“The Theory of Everything”) plays the lead role in a story that traces Ginsburg’s struggle for equal rights and her eventual rise to the Supreme Court. The cast includes Armie Hammer (“Call Me by Your Name”) and Justin Theroux (“The Girl on the Train”). In wide release. focusfeatures.com/on-the-basis-of-sex. Arclight Hollywood, 6360 Sunset Blvd. and the Landmark, 10880 Pico Vlcd., West L.A.