What’s Happening: Jill Abramson, Yemen Blues, ‘Foxtrot’

FRI MAR 1

Beatles Shabbat
During Friday night services, Reform congregation Kol Tikvah sets popular Shabbat tunes to the music of The Beatles. Rabbi Jon Hanish, Rabbi Becky Hoffman, Cantor Noa Shaashua and rabbinic intern Esther Jilovsky lead services with a little help from their friends: the temple band Kolplay. Socializing, coffee and sweet treats follow. 6:30 p.m. Free. No RSVP necessary. Kol Tikvah, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 348-0670.

Shabbat with Danny Lobell
Stand-up comedian Danny Lobell headlines “Stand Up Shabbat” at Knesset Israel of Beverlywood. Lobell’s performance follows Friday night services and a d’var Torah by Rabbi Jason Weiner. Jordana Wertheimer, director of student life and leadership at YULA Girls High School, emcees the show. A three-course glatt kosher meat dinner is included. Services 5:30 p.m., comedy show 6:30 p.m. $18 per person, $36 couples, $50 families. Knesset Israel of Beverlywood, 2364 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 839-4962.

An Evening with Jill Abramson
Former New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson discusses her controversial new book, “Merchants of Truth: The Business of News and the Fight for Facts,” which follows four major news organizations — the Times, The Washington Post, BuzzFeed and Vice Media — over a decade of radical changes and disruption in the news business. Abramson, in dialogue with Spectrum News political anchor Alex Cohen, explores the future of the free press. 7:30 p.m. $40 general admission plus book, $34 members plus book, without book, $25 general admission, $21.25 members. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500.

Peter & Paul
Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey, the surviving members of the legendary folk music trio Peter, Paul & Mary, sing many of their hits in concert at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. After the death of Mary Travers in 2009, Yarrow and Stookey continue to perform regularly. 8 p.m. $41–$66. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. (805) 449-2787.

IKAR’S First Friday
Young professionals and Jew-adjacent adults come together for IKAR’s TRIBE First Friday Feast, featuring a musical Shabbat service (plus scotch), followed by schmoozing, grooving, food and (more) booze. 6:30 p.m. services, 8 p.m. dinner. $8, free for first-timers. IKAR event space, 1729 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 634-1870.

Tint Tot Shabbat
Shabbat-themed storytelling, music and singing highlight PJ Library and Temple Akiba’s Shabbat for tots up to 2 years old. Open to the community. 9 a.m. Free. Temple Akiba, 5249 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. RSVP to Carly Rosenstein at nurseryschool@templeakiba.net or (310) 398-5783.

SAT MAR 2 

Jews and Disabilities 
ETTA Founder and Executive Director Michael Held discusses “A Vision for Including Jews With Disabilities,” following Shabbat morning services at the Beverly Hills Jewish Community. Established in 1993, ETTA serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Services 9:30 a.m., lecture 11:30 a.m. Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 276-4246.

Lev Eisha Services 
Rabbi Toba August and cantorial soloist Cindy Paley lead a musical and joyous Shabbat celebration at Beth Shir Shalom. The Lev Eisha Shabbat begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Kiddush luncheon. Free. Beth Shir Shalom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 575-0985.

SUN MAR 3 

Einat Wilf
Former Israeli Knesset Member Einat Wilf, who previously represented the Labor and Independence parties from 2010–11 and 2011–13, respectively, speaks at Congregation Kol Ami. A leading intellectual and thinker on foreign policy, economics, education and Zionism, Einat is the author of six books. A Jerusalem native, she earned a BA in Government from Harvar, and a Ph.D in Political Science at the University of Cambridge. 5 p.m. Free. Congregation Kol Ami, 1200 N. La Brea Blvd., West Hollywood. (323) 606-0996.

Sam Glaser 
Los Angeles musician Sam Glaser performs at Ner Simcha as part of the congregation’s “Simcha Series: A Celebration of Jewish Arts.” A resident of the Pico-Robertson neighborhood, Glaser tours the world and serves as Ner Simcha’s cantor during the congregation’s High Holy Days services. 7–8:30 p.m. Free. Temple Ner Simcha, 880 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village. (818) 851-0030.

Are Jewish Values Unique?
Rabbi Stanley Davids explores “Is There Anything Unique About Jewish Values?” during Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s monthly “In Pursuit of Truth” series. Davids shows how the embrace of Jewish values enriches and brings meaning to people’s lives. Start your Sunday with coffee, discussion and enlightenment. 9:15 a.m. Free. Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 3663 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 388-2401.

MON MAR 4

Yemen Blues
Blending Yemenite melodies and contemporary funk, Yemen Blues perform at The Pico-Union Project. Founded in Israel, Yemen Blues is led by Ravid Kahalani, a former cook and dancer. The group’s album “Insaniya” fuses jazz, blues, Latino and African beats. 7:30–10:30 p.m.  $20 advance, $30 door. The Pico-Union Project, 1153 Valencia St., Los Angeles. (213) 915-0084.

TUE MAR 5

Anti-Semitism and Hate
With much of the national discourse focused on the rise of anti-Semitism, Anti-Defamation League (ADL) CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL Regional Director Amanda Susskind and Valley Beth Shalom (VBS) Senior Rabbi Ed Feinstein attempt to provide clarity on the subject. They discuss “The State of Anti-Semitism and Hate,” a pertinent topic after October’s massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and the more recent desecration of dozens of Jewish gravestones in France. 7:30 p.m. Free. Advance registration required. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (828) 788-0567.

THU MAR 7

“Foxtrot”
The award-winning, controversial 2017 Israeli film “Foxtrot,” following a troubled family that must face the facts when something goes terribly wrong at their son’s desolate military post,
screens as part of Kehillat Ma’arav’s Jewish Film Series. Popcorn, candy and sodas served. Doors open 7 p.m., screening 7:30 p.m. $10. Kehillat Ma’arav, 1715 21st St., Santa Monica. (310) 829-0566.

Dan Schnur
USC adjunct faculty member and Jewish Journal columnist Dan Schnur moderates the ongoing Wilshire Boulevard Temple series, “What Does it All Mean? Conversations With Smart People About Navigating Life in the 21st Century.” The topic is “Gender in the Workplace: What Comes After #MeToo?” 7:30 p.m. Free. Wilshire Boulevard Temple Irmas Campus, 11661 W. Olympic Blvd. (213) 388-2401.

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