fbpx

What’s Happening: Pride Shabbat, ‘Yentl,’ Summer Soiree

[additional-authors]
June 19, 2019

FRI JUNE 21

“The Laws of Women”
Upcoming Women’s Torah Study meeting “The Laws of Women” offers the Jewish perspective on love, marriage, sex, adultery, rape, abortion and women’s rights. Convening at midday, women are encouraged to bring their own lunches. Drinks and dessert provided. Open to all women. 12:30 p.m. Free. Wilshire Boulevard Temple Irmas Westside campus, 11661 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Hannah Gole at hgole@wbtla or call (424) 208-8932 for additional information.

Pride Shabbat
IKAR’S Pride Shabbat is celebrated in the midst of Pride Month, with LGBTQ+ storytelling highlighting the community dinner that follows Kabbalat Shabbat prayers. “Pray and Stay” is the motto at IKAR, and after the high-energy musical services, the catered dinner features kosher pescatarian with vegetarian options. 6:30 p.m. Pray: scotch and services. 8 p.m. Stay: community dinner.  $10 adult member, $12 general, $5 child. IKAR, 910 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 634-1870.

Greatest Hits Shabbat
Familiar melodies reverberate across the Temple Akiba sanctuary during the Reform congregation’s “Greatest Hits Kabbalat Shabbat.” Hit songs from “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Pinocchio,” “The Lion King,” “Hamilton” and others enliven Friday night services. 7 p.m. Free. Temple Akiba, 5249 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. (310) 398-5783.

Terry Swartzberg

Terry Swartzberg
Journalist and activist Terry Swartzberg, who was born and raised in New York and is a prominent member of Munich’s Reform Jewish community, speaks about Stolpersteine (German for “stumbling stones”), the world’s largest decentralized monument to the Holocaust. Swartzberg appears during a peaceful hour of prayer and music at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills dubbed “Simply Shabbat.” Swartzberg explains the uniqueness of the 70,000 small, brass memorial blocks that have been embedded in 1,200 communities across Europe and Russia. He also discusses his read on anti-Semitism in Germany. 6:15 p.m. Free. Temple Emanuel, Belle Chapel, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737.

Shabbat Under the Stars
Young Jewish professionals, ages 21-39, kick off summer by celebrating “Shabbat Under the Stars” at a private home in Hancock Park. Mendel and Rachey Simons organize the poolside gathering, featuring an open bar, four-course dinner and 100 young guests from diverse backgrounds. Evening attire required. 7 p.m. $70-$80. Address given upon online registration at eventbrite.com. (310) 692-4190.

SAT JUNE 22

Shabbat in the Park
Children 2 and younger and their families come out for Shabbat in the Park, co-organized by PJ Partners and Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills. They are introduced to Judaism in a fun and meaningful way, with Shabbat singing, playing and schmoozing. 10-11 a.m. Free for all PJ Library families. Beverly Canon Gardens, 241 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills. (323) 761-8234.

Pico Union Project Gala
The stars come out for interfaith center Pico Union Project’s (PUP) annual “Spirit” concert, an evening of story, song and spirit benefiting PUP in the coming year. The night includes performances by PUP Founder Craig Taubman, coloratura soprano Sara Hershkowitz, dancer Adrian Hoffman, English musician Laurence Juber, klezmer gypsy-rock band Mostly Kosher, actor Stuart Robinson, singer Shany Zamir, pianist-arranger H.B. Barnum, children’s book author Barney Saltzberg, Valley Beth Shalom Rabbi Ed Feinstein and City Controller Ron Galperin. 8 p.m. $50 unreserved balcony seats, $100 unreserved sanctuary seats. Pico Union Project, 1153 Valencia St., Los Angeles. (213) 915-0084.

SUN JUNE 23

Sharsheret Family Fun Day
In support of women and families dealing with breast cancer, Jewish breast cancer organization Sharsheret holds a day of food and fun. Attractions include an art bus, moon bounce and game truck. Guests are asked to bring a new, small and unopened toy for Sharsheret’s toy drive, serving youngsters whose moms are fighting breast cancer. Noon-3 p.m. $36 adults, $25 children 1 and older. Beth Jacob Congregation, Jacob’s Garden, 9030 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills.  (866) 474-2774.  

“Yentl” Singalong & Screening
A singalong and screening of “Yentl” marks Beth Chayim Chadashim (BCC) community members’ and LGBTQ+ activists’ farewell to retiring Rabbi Lisa Edwards, following her 25 years at BCC. Edwards, whose decision to enter rabbinical school was inspired by the Barbra Streisand film, shares the moment of honor with her wife, Lezbtzn Tracy Moore. Guests are invited to dress up as their favorite film character. Before the private screening, Edwards discusses “The Intersection of Jewish and LGBTQ+ Cinema.” 9:15 a.m. doors open, continental breakfast served. 10 a.m. screening. $18 admission. Laemmle Music Hall, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (323) 931-7023.

Inscape

Selections from ‘Inscape’
Excerpts from Jewish choreographer Bella Lewitzky’s defining work, 1976’s “Inscape,” highlight this fashion-focused program at the Skirball. Dancers from Luminario Ballet have worked with John Pennington of the Pennington Dance Group to re-create this masterpiece of dance, and they wear costumes originally designed by Jewish fashion designer Rudi Gernreich, newly made by Diana MacNeil, for the performance. 6 p.m. Free, Skirball members. $15 general admission. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500.

Yiddish Lives Again
Live klezmer music provides the soundtrack to the meshuggenah beats of Yiddish poetry. Organized by the estate of the late Mishkon Tephilo congregant George Katz and by Marilyn Lewitt, the energetic program features a reading of love-themed works by the renowned Kadya Molodowski, Ruklh Fishman and Anna Margolin. Their writing is recited in Yiddish with English translation. Klezmer Juice, featuring clarinetist Gustavo Bulgach, performs. 2-4 p.m. $10 suggested donation. Mishkon Tephilo, 206 Main St., Venice. (310) 392-0420.

TUE JUNE 25

Aziza Hassan

“Reclaiming Sacred Space”
In the wake of the recent shooting attacks at synagogues, Temple Beth Am and the Pacifica Institute hold an evening called “Reclaiming Sacred Space.” The themes of the program are holding on to who we are and being there for one another. Speakers are Aziza Hassan, executive director of NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change; Atilla Kahveci, vice president of the Pacifica Institute, which is dedicated to interfaith dialogue and intercultural understanding; Rabbi Susan Goldberg of Wilshire Boulevard Temple; and Temple Beth Am Rabbi Adam Kligfeld. 7 p.m.  Free. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd. (310) 652-7353. RSVP at lmandelbaum@tbala.org.

WED JUNE 26

Vintage Jewish Fashion Posters
An exhibition of vintage Jewish fashion posters has been rotating among branches of the Los Angeles Public Library to coincide with Jewish Heritage Month in May. Today marks the opening of the exhibit’s two-week stop at the Woodland Hills branch of the L.A. Public Library. The collection showcases 22 color and black-and-white photographs depicting traditional costumes, embroidery and jewelry from North Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Don’t miss it. Through July 10 at Woodland Hills branch; July 17- 31 at Fairfax; Aug. 7-21 at Encino-Tarzana; Aug. 28-Sept. 11 at Westwood. For additional information, visit the link above.

Summer Soiree 2019
Join hundreds of young Jews enjoying music, drinks and community vibes under the stars at Le Jardin in Hollywood. Marking this first week of summer, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles Summer Soiree 2019 is the Federation’s largest event of the year for young adults in their 20s and 30s. All proceeds benefit the Federation’s annual campaign to support its work around the world. Ages 21-and-older. 7-10 p.m. $36. Le Jardin, 1430 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 761-8000.

“Through A Jewish Lens”
Relating the story of Jewish life in Bulgaria, Macedonia and northern Greece, Congregation Kol Ami member Sue Igdaloff leads the third and final free class of the series, “Through a Jewish Lens.” 7 p.m. Free. Congregation Kol Ami, 1200 N. La Brea Ave., West Hollywood. (323) 606-0996.


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.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.