FRI NOV 1
YJP Dinner
A diverse group of 20- and 30-something Jewish professionals celebrate Shabbat dinner in the La Brea-Third Street neighborhood. The evening includes a four-course dinner and an open bar. Attendees dine, network and gain the wisdom and confidence to take on the coming week. Bar opens at 6 p.m. Event continues until 11 p.m. $60-$70. Location emailed to guests upon registration. Online reservations only by clicking on the link above.
“Inspire Young Professionals”
“Friday Night Inspire,” a Shabbat at Beth Jacob Congregation, brings together young professionals. The evening includes kabbalat Shabbat services, socializing and a Kiddush with refreshments. Chava and Rabbi Robbie Tombosky host the evening, which is dedicated to the memory of the late Aaron Sichel. 5:45 p.m. Mincha, 6 p.m. kabbalat Shabbat, 6:30 p.m. schmoozing. RSVP to yp@bethjacob.org for the address. (310) 278-1911.
David Makovsky
Scholar and former Israeli journalist David Makovsky, who has studied the Middle East for 30 years, shares his perspectives on the region as Young Israel of Century City’s scholar-in-residence. Previously executive editor of The Jerusalem Post and diplomatic correspondent for the influential Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz, Makovsky delivers two major addresses, requiring reservations. “The Trump Administration and the Middle East: What Is Realistic?” is the topic of tonight’s Young Professionals Community Dinner. For Shabbat lunch at Pat’s restaurant, he discusses, “Israel and the Diaspora: Can This Marriage Be Saved?” 7 p.m. Young Professionals Community Dinner, $45 members, $55 general. 9 a.m. Shabbat morning services. 12:30 p.m. Shabbat lunch, $60 per adult member, $65 general, $35 per child ages 4-11. Young Israel of Century City, 9317 W. Pico Blvd. (310) 273-6954.
SAT NOV 2
Lev Eisha Shabbat
Lev Eisha, an upbeat community of Jewish women, holds a memorable Shabbat experience at Beth Shir Shalom in Santa Monica. Rabbi Toba August, Cindy Paley and Joy Krauthammer promise to elevate spirits with praying and singing. New faces always are welcome. Kiddush follows. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Beth Shir Shalom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 575-0985.
SUN NOV 3
Mitzvah Days
Emphasizing the ways one person can make a positive difference, Adat Ari El holds Mitzvah Day for the community. Participants meet puppies in training to be guide dogs, donate blood, offer their ponytails to children with hair loss, make sandwiches for food pantries, and bring board games, canned tuna, Halloween candy and even gently used jeans to the synagogue. All ages are welcome. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 766-9426.
Sephardic Melodies in Downey
International singer and composer Nani brings her Sephardic music and jazz show to Temple Ner Tamid of Downey. Expect to see her at the piano and even playing trombone. Nani, the rare artist seeking to revive Ladino while blending Middle Eastern music with North African beats and her own ethnic jazz songs, has been compared to Nina Simone. The evening includes hors d’oeuvres, light drinks and a cash bar. 6-9 p.m. $36. Temple Ner Tamid, 10629 Lakewood Blvd., Downey. (562) 861-9276. Tickets available through eventbrite.com or the temple during business hours.
Comedy Night and Auction
During University Synagogue’s annual Comedy Night, attendees enjoy a fun outing at the Hollywood Improv and participate in a live auction for a luxurious prize. Bid on three nights at Casa Fortuna, a beachfront estate in a gated community in Mexico. The package is valued at $7,000-$14,000 a night and includes access to two golf courses, among other highlights. Funds raised will benefit University Synagogue’s Early Childhood Learning Center and the building of a new playground. 7 p.m. $75 general admission, $125 VIP, $75 teacher ticket. $20 for raffle drawing. Hollywood Improv, 8162 Melrose Ave., Hollywood. (310) 472-1255.
“Voices of Women Rabbis”
Featuring diverse voices within the modern rabbinate, a new six-week course, “Voices of Women Rabbis: Challenges and Opportunities,” held at UCLA Hillel, features three women rabbis leading two sessions apiece. Tonight and Nov. 10, Rabbi Tirzah Firestone discusses “Wounds Into Wisdom: Reclaiming Meaning and Purpose After Tragedy and Trauma.” On Nov. 17 and 24, Rabbi Sarah Bassin teaches about “Creating Change in the Jewish Community.” And on Dec. 1 and 8, Rabbi Yael Saidoff’s goal is “Toward Deep Encounters With Spirit-Moving, Soul-Satisfying Prayer.” The Academy for Jewish Religion California organizes the course. 7-9 p.m. $90. UCLA Hillel, 574 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, or online via Zoom. (213) 884-4133.
Mostly Kosher
Jewish cultural revival band Mostly Kosher performs at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center this evening, bringing a blend of sounds seldom heard in contemporary music. Led by Leeav Sofer, the seven-member group sprinkles Latin, rock, hip-hop and folk while reviving familiar Yiddish strains accompanied by a post-klezmer beat. 7 p.m. $25-$35. Torrance Cultural Arts Center, James Armstrong Theater, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. (310) 781-7150.
“The Last Klezmer”
The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival (LAJFF) holds a 25th anniversary screening of “The Last Klezmer.” The 1994 documentary follows Leopold Kozlowski, the last active klezmer musician in Poland, as he takes a trip back to his hometown in Ukraine. Beginning as a celebration of the Ashkenazi musical genre and highlighting what life was like for a klezmer before World War II, the film changes in tone as Kozlowski takes the film crew to sites from his childhood evoking painful memories. After the screening, Yale Strom, an active participant in the American klezmer revival, performs live music and participates in a Q&A session. The Jewish Journal and Laemmle Theatres co-present the event. 1 p.m. $15. Laemmle’s Ahrya Fine Arts Theatre, 8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (800) 838-3006.
Andre Aciman
Author Andre Aciman follows his 2007 international bestseller “Call Me By Your Name,” a coming-of-age romantic novel about two young men that was adapted into an acclaimed film, with “Find Me,” which revisits their relationship as adults after one of them marries. Aciman appears live during a Writers Bloc conversation. 4 p.m. $20 general admission, $36 admission plus a copy of “Find Me.” Ahrya Fine Arts by Laemmle, 8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 443-9925.
MON NOV 4
Jewish Insights on Marriage
Temple Judea Rabbi Joshua Aaronson, the married father of three children, leads a midday class on “Love and Marriage, Men and Women: Jewish Insights.” Drawing on the wisdom of the rabbis of the Talmud, Rabbi Aaronson scatters light humor across his teaching. The course begins today and continues on Nov. 11 and 18. Noon-1 p.m. all three sessions. Free. Temple Judea, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. (818) 758-3800.
TUE NOV 5
Heather Morris
Author Heather Morris, who wrote last year’s bestselling book “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” returns to American Jewish University to discuss her new novel, “Cilka’s Journey,” based on a true romance during the Holocaust. Taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau as a 16-year-old in 1942, Cilka learns that gaining power means survival. However, when the camp is liberated, she is not allowed to leave, charged with sleeping with the enemy. A book signing follows the lecture. 7:30 p.m. $20, $42 with book. American Jewish University, Shapiro Memorial Synagogue, 15600 Mulholland Drive. (310) 440-1572.
“‘God’and Science”
Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills Rabbi Adam Lutz leads the two-hour class “ ‘God’ and Science: Reconciling God with Our Rational Minds.” How does an aerospace engineer think about God? The rabbi, who used to have that career, shares his concept of God and more. 7-9 p.m. Free. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, Belle Chapel, 300 N. Clark Drive. (310) 288-3737.
THU NOV 7
“An Unorthodox Match”
In Naomi Ragen’s new novel, “An Unorthodox Match,” a woman who has failed in her quest for marriage and children steps away from her Orthodox community and lands in a dysfunctional setting with a newly widowed Torah scholar. Tonight, Ragen, a longtime resident of Jerusalem, appears in conversation about her book with award-winning journalist Danielle Berrin. 7:30 p.m. $15. American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive. (310) 440-1572.
Women’s Health and Challah Bake
A panel discussion examining women’s health and cancer prevention focuses on the latest in cancer screening, the Jewish cancer-genetics connection and women’s wellness. Speakers are Annie Spar, Daniella Kamara and Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz. This evening’s program also includes a pink challah bake. Sharsheret, which supports women facing breast cancer and their families, organizes the program with Temple Beth Am Sisterhood. Light dinner is provided. 7 p.m. $18. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd. (310) 652-7353.
“Heroism on the Home Front”
During World War II, the societal roles of women changed drastically and heroically when so many American men were overseas serving in the military. Tonight, the National Women’s History Museum and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum hold a panel discussion on the subject, “How Did American Women Act: Heroism on the Home Front,” examining how women used their newfound influence to sound the alarm about the plight of Europe’s Jews. The speakers are Gretchen Skidmore, director of education initiatives at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and writer-producer Denise Kiernan. Lori Ann Terjesen, director of education at the National Women’s History Museum, moderates. 7-9 p.m. Free, registration required. The Paley Center for Media, 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 556-3222.
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