What’s Happening: Jews and Opioids Panel, Sephardic Food and Wine

FRI AUG 23

Shabbat Under the Stars
You are invited to a unique Shabbat experience with American Jewish University’s Intro to Judaism event at the school’s upper campus in the hills above Los Angeles. Children and adults watch the sun set and the Sabbath rise while enjoying “Shabbat Under the Stars” on the large lawn next to the basketball court. Join Rabbi Adam and Amy Robinson Katz in celebrating with familiar Shabbat melodies. 6:15-9 p.m. $5 adults. Free for children 12-and-younger. American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. (310) 440-1273.

Shabbat at the Beach
Surrounded by surf and sand, Kehillat Israel’s ninth annual Shabbat at the Beach BBQ at Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades begins early with 90 minutes of barbecuing festivities. Kosher meals ($8-10) are available by pre-ordering online. Enter the parking lot at the intersection of Temescal and Pacific Coast Highway, continuing north to Lifeguard Station No. 5. 4:45 p.m. Barbecue activities. 6:15 p.m. Shabbat services. (310) 459-2328.

SAT AUG 24

Confronting Anti-Semitism
Philanthropist Adam Milstein, a real estate investor, co-founder of the Israeli-American Council and an ardent fighter for Israeli causes, speaks after Shabbat services at Nessah Synagogue. He discusses “Anti-Semitism Is Here Now: How Each One of Us Can Make an Impact and Fight Back.” An arch foe of the anti-Israel boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, Milstein says, “We should teach [Israel’s enemies] there is a price, there is accountability for anyone who attacks us.” 9:15 a.m. service. Nessah Synagogue, 142 S. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 273-2400.

Trivia Night
This can be the evening that retaining the random, seemingly useless facts you have been idly collecting for years pays off. Trivia Night was made for you and your like-minded friends. A professional game night emcee hosts. Prizes and refreshments are your rewards. 8-10 p.m. $10. Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 766-9426. RSVP by clicking the link above.

SUN AUG 25

“Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles”
The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival holds a special screening of “Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles,” a 2019 documentary that visits personalities from the 1971 classic “Fiddler on the Roof.” The documentary features clips from the original film and various productions along with commentary by “Fiddler” admirers Stephen Sondheim and Lin-Manuel Miranda, among others. The audience takes part in a live Q&A session with Barbara Isenberg, author of the bestseller “Tradition!” and Stephen Sass, president of the Jewish Historical Society of Southern California. Advance ticket purchase advised. 4:40 p.m. $15. Laemmle Royal, 11523 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. (800) 838-3006.

Sephardic Family Picnic
Four entertainment-filled hours await everyone who participates in the Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel’s annual Family Picnic at Rancho Park. Ample food and drink will be available for purchase and attendees enjoy games all over the park. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Rancho Park, 10460 W. Pico Blvd. (310) 475-7000.

Mames Babegenush Arrives
Romania and Eastern Europe meet Scandinavia when Copenhagen-based Mames Babegenush performs in concert. The six-member genre-bending ensemble blends classic Jewish melodies with sounds as diverse as Romanian gypsy, tango, rock, cumbia, electronica and Israeli folk music. 9-11:30 p.m. $30. Corazon Performing Arts, 125 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga.  (310) 795-1373.

Opioids, A Jewish Problem
Asserting that the opioid abuse epidemic also affects Jews, addiction treatment center Beit T’Shuvah holds a conversation with health care attorney and author Harry Nelson (“The United States of Opioids: A Prescription for Liberating a Nation in Pain”) in conversation with Harriet Rossetto. Rabbi Mark Borovitz moderates. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $36, including Nelson’s book. Beit T’Shuvah, 8831 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 204-5200.

BarkBody Boot Camp
Join the young leadership of Friends of Sheba Medical Center for “Sheba 2.0 x BarkBody Fit,” a dog-friendly workout session with Carissa Brones, certified personal trainer and fitness instructor. No dog? No problem. All dog lovers welcome. 11 a.m.-noon. $36, includes light refreshments. Holmby Park, 601 Club View Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 775-2576. For additional information, contact Rachel Blankstein at rachel@shebamed.org.

Genealogical Panel
Curious about your family’s history or related issues? You are invited to the monthly meeting of the Jewish Genealogical Society of the Conejo Valley and Ventura County at Temple Adat Elohim. In addition to an Ask the Experts panel, highlights from last month’s International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies conference in Cleveland are reviewed. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Free. Temple Adat Elohim, 2420 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. (805) 497-7101.

Sephardic Food and Wine Pairing
Attention Jewish young professionals (ages 21-39): Jimena in L.A.’s Sephardic Food and Wine Pairing event, on a Santa Monica Place rooftop, offers a chance for a memorable evening at a one-of-a-kind event. Five courses are served at the pairing featuring Yarden Wines from the Golan Heights Winery. A perspective on the history of the Jewish people and wines is provided by Bill Henry, Yarden’s regional manager. Kosher laws observed. No tickets at the door. 6-9 p.m. $80. Expert Dojo, Unit 308, 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica.

Wine & Scotch Tasting
Looking for a pleasantly unusual way to spend a late Sunday afternoon? Kehillat Ma’arav synagogue hosts a premium Wine & Scotch Tasting, courtesy of Eileen and Lew Goldberg of the Divine Wine Co. 4-6 p.m. $10 per person suggested donation. Kehillat Ma’arav, 1715 21st St., Santa Monica. (310) 829-0566.

TUE AUG 27

‘Einstein!’ Returns
“Einstein! Celebrating 100 Years of General Relativity,” Jack Fry’s one-man play, is back by popular demand after 11 consecutive sold-out performances at the Santa Monica Playhouse. Fry explores Einstein’s early years in war-ravaged Berlin. He also incorporates recently released findings about Einstein. 7:30 p.m. $45 general tickets, $65 VIP. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. (310) 394-9779.

WED AUG 28

Spoonful of Chesed
Here is an opportunity for the youngest to the oldest in your family to team up and make a difference in the community. If you are at least 10 years old, join with Sinai Temple’s Social Action Committee and Sisterhood in creating meals for the needy, an act of chesed (kindness). RSVP, nguzik@sinaitemple.org or (310) 481-3234. 7-9 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd. (310) 474-1518.

Jews of South Central
Early in the 20th century, working-class Jews chose South Central Los Angeles for their homes, did business there and built at least a dozen grand synagogues. In his next lecture and visual presentation on the history of Jews in Los Angeles, Shmuel Gonzales, the Barrrio Boychik, explores why these early settlers picked South Central and why they moved west in the 1950s and ’60s, especially after the 1965 Watts riots. 7-9 p.m. Free. Boyle Heights History Tours, 2026 E. 1st St., Los Angeles. (323) 902-6953.

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.