What’s Happening: Shofar Workshop, Itzhak Perlman, Comedy Film

FRI SEPT 13

Rimonim Shabbat
Come as you are to Valley Beth Shalom’s monthly Rimonim Shabbat and be prepared to leave transformed by the Rimonim-style singing, dancing and praying. Rimonim is the Hebrew word for pomegranates, which hold hundreds of seeds. Jewish tradition teaches that seeds represent the 613 good deeds one must accomplish in life. 6 p.m. snack and schmooze. 6:30 p.m. Rimonim service. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000.

SAT SEPT 14

Shabat Shiur
Getting into High Holy Days mode, Rabbi Daniel Bouskila turns to three of the most incisive minds of 20th-century modern thought to interpret their deep perspectives on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Bouskila explores the texts of Rav Joseph Soloveitchik, who was rosh yeshiva of the seminary at Yeshiva University; Nobel laureate S.Y. Agnon; and Nechama Leibowitz, one of the most highly regarded female thinkers. 5:30 p.m. Westwood Village Synagogue, 1148 Westwood Blvd., Westwood Village. (310) 824-9987.

SUN SEPT 15

Trump’s Impact on Jews
The USC Casden Institute’s 2019 Burton Lewis Lecture examines one of the hottest issues of the 2020 election, “The Impact of Donald Trump’s Presidency on American Jewry.” Speakers are Saba Soomekh, lecturer in Middle Eastern History and Women’s Studies at UCLA; political advocate Donna Bojarsky; Jewish Journal columnist Dan Schnur, a political strategist and USC professor in communications; and Bruce Karasik, a founder of the Republican Jewish Alliance.Steven Windmueller moderates. 4-6 p.m. Free. Town and Gown Hall, USC University Park campus. (213) 740-3405.

Unity Project
With Rosh Hashanah just two weeks away, Nessah Synagogue invites the community to learn from a group of two dozen rabbis, lay leaders and educators about the concepts encircling Jewish unity and love of Israel. The unusual program offers multiple simultaneous breakout sessions on a wide spectrum of subjects taught at varying levels.. Children’s programming available. 10 a.m. $10 advance, $20 at the door. Nessah Synagogue, Simcha Hall, 142 S. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 273-2400.

JQ Orthodox Barbecue
Join the JQ LGBTQ+ Orthodox group for a kosher barbecue in a casual setting. All are welcome to spend quality time in space that is safe and supportive. Confidential registration. 12:30-2:30 p.m. Suggested $10 donation collected in cash at the door. The address provided upon confidential RSVP. (323) 417-2627.

Rosh Hashanah Challah Bake
In the run-up to Rosh Hashanah, Layla Book, aka The Dating Concierge, brings single men and women together in the same kitchen for challah baking. Get in the mix and learn step-by-step how to make your own challah. Later, you can bake your own challah at home with all supplies provided. Refreshments served. Government-issued ID required for entry. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $20. Temple Beth Zion, 5555 W. Olympic Blvd. (323) 933-9136. challah2019.

“From Fear to Faith”
With disagreement becoming a national pastime, the Pacific Palisades Interfaith Clergy holds “From Fear to Faith,” a discussion about individual and collective responsibility to address prejudice in the community. The panelists are Rabbi Amy Bernstein of Kehillat Israel, Monsignor Liam Kidney of Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, and Brother Satyananda of the Self Realization Fellowship. Rev. Grace Park of Palisades Presbyterian moderates. Light refreshments are served. 4-5 p.m. Free. Community United Methodist Church, 801 Via De La Paz, Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2328.

Come Blow Your Horn
A free and all-ages shofar-blowing workshop at Hollywood Temple Beth El includes the blessings of the shofar and its significance as well as drills in getting the reluctant ram’s horn to sound the notes of the festival. Participants should bring their own shofar. The temple has a limited number of shofars for use. Reservations requested. 10:30 a.m.-Noon. Free. Hollywood Temple Beth El, 1317 N. Crescent Heights Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 656-3150.

MON SEPT 16

“Angels in the Sky”
A discussion at Cedars-Sinai focuses on the birth of Israel’s Air Force (IAF), which was made up of hundreds of idealistic volunteer airmen from countries around the world. Tonight’s program is dedicated to one of those volunteer pioneer aviators, Mitchell Flint. In conversation with Rabbi Daniel Bouskila, Flint’s son, Mike Flint, talks about the brave airmen and his association with the book “Angels in the Sky: How a Band of Volunteer Airmen Saved the State of Israel.” 6 p.m. registration. 6:30 p.m. program. $10 general admission, $5 Cedars employees, volunteers. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Harvey Morse Auditorium, Plaza Level, 8700 Beverly Blvd. (310) 423-3277. RSVP to alumniassociation2020@gmail.com.

“Is Religion Still Relevant in the 21st Century?”
Renowned religious skeptic and author Michael Shermer (“The Moral Arc: How Science and Reason Lead Humanity Toward Truth, Justice, and Freedom”) and Scott Shay, chairman of Signature Bank and author of “In Good Faith: Questioning Religion and Atheism,” wrestle with the question, “Is Religion Still Relevant in the 21st Century?” Rabbi David Wolpe moderates the debate, which pits Shermer’s view that religion is unnecessary for a fulfilling life against Shay’s belief that our greatest threat is increasing abandonment of religious heritage. 6:30-9 p.m. Free for Sinai members, $10 for general public. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd. Questions: (310) 481-3228.

WED SEPT 18

“Welcoming the Stranger”
Noting that the worldwide number of refugees and displaced persons has surpassed 70 million in the past year, Melanie Nezer, senior vice president for public affairs at HIAS, leads a conversation about the plight of refugees. “Welcoming the Stranger: A Jewish Call to Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers” features Nezer in discussion with Kimberley Plotnik of the Anti-Defamation League, Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels of Beth Shir Shalom, and Robyn Samuels of Leo Baeck Temple. Registration required. 7 p.m. Free. Beth Shir Shalom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 453-3361.

“Sisters in Law”
“Sisters in Law,” the new play at The Wallis about Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a Democrat, and Sandra Day O’Connor, a Republican, introduces two brave pioneering women who were friends but polar opposites in many ways. Based on Linda Hirshman’s 2015 bestseller of the same name, Tovah Feldshuh and Stephanie Faracy star as Ginsburg and O’Connor, respectively, in the production that opens tonight with a three-week run. Through Oct. 13. $70. The Wallis, Lovelace Studio Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 746-4000.

THU SEPT 19

Itzhak Perlman
Master violinist Itzhak Perlman makes a rare solo appearance when he opens the season at Cal State Northridge’s The Soraya, the Valley’s Center for the Performing Arts. Accompanied by pianist Rohan De Silva, Perlman performs Beethoven’s Violin Sonata in E-Flat Major, Opus 12, No. 3; the Franck Sonata in A major for violin and piano; and Dvorak’s Sonatina in G major for violin and piano. 7 p.m. $59-$250.  CSUN’s The Soraya, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. (818) 677-3000.

“Land of Milk and Funny”
The documentary “Land of Milk and Funny” traces the steps of stand-up comedian Avi Liberman as he brings a succession of American funnymen and women to Israel. The film is the newest offering in American Jewish University’s documentary film and discussion series. Liberman is present to bring to life the experiences of such comedians as Craig Robinson, Gary Gulman and Ray Wood Jr. 1 p.m. $10. American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-1572.

“Responding to Disasters”
IsraAID Co-CEO Navonel “Voni” Glick provides a glimpse of crisis-response thinking and introduces his audience to the cutting-edge methodology used by IsraAID responders in global crises. He recounts IsraAID’s challenges in combating Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone and the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq. Proceeds support IsraAID programs worldwide. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $18. The Cedars-Sinai Innovation Space, 8601 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood. (310) 423-3277.