What’s Happening: IDF ‘Shabbat of Heroes,’ Sephardic ‘Papers’

FRI DEC 6

Zamru Friday Night
Shomrei Torah Synagogue holds Zamru Friday Night, a unique, musically rich kabbalat Shabbat service and dinner. Cantor Jackie Rafii and guitarist Daniel Raijman headline the event, “Music to Move Your Soul.” Guests bring their own kosher wine. 6-9 p.m. Dinner for members: $20 adults, $12 children 12 and under. General: $30 adults, $15 children. Shomrei Torah Synagogue, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. (818) 854-7650.

Middle East Discussion
Given decades of conflict between the same rivals, punctuated by intermittent treaties, the Middle East is arguably the politically messiest region on earth. Jordan Reimer, policy analyst at the RAND Corp., helps to unpack the conflicts. A scholar who served under two White House administrations and the New York City Police Department, Reimer explains effects of the constant conflicts in the Middle East on Israel and the United States. 6:15 p.m. service. 7:30-9 p.m. lecture. Temple Isaiah, 10345 W. Pico Blvd. (310) 277-2772.

IKAR Feast
It is the first Friday of the month again, which means it’s time for IKAR’s monthly TRIBE Feast, a schmooze and groove at food-filled tables with Jewish and Jew-adjacent 20- and 30-somethings. RSVP requested so sufficient food is prepared. 6:30 p.m. Shabbat service. 7:45 p.m. TRIBE Feast. IKAR’s Event Space, 1729 S. La Cienega Blvd. (323) 634-1870.

SAT DEC 7

Shabbat for Women
Lev Eisha, a community of and for joyous Jewish women, celebrates a Shabbat infused with music and enlightened by teachings by Rabbi Toba August. She and cantorial soloist Cindy Paley lead Shabbat services. Everybody is welcome. 8:15 a.m. teaching. 9:30 a.m. service. Beth Shir Shalom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 575-0985.

“Max & Willy’s Last Laugh”
When German comedian Max Ehrlich and his best friend, composer Willy Rosen, were caught in Holland in 1942 and sent to a concentration camp, the commandant recognized Ehrlich. He made an irresistible offer: Every Monday night before the train leaves for Auschwitz, Max and Willy will perform a cabaret. If they are funny, they will perform it the following week. If not, they will be put on the train. The performers carried on for 18 months before finally being sent to Auschwitz. Tonight and Sunday afternoon, Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills presents a staged reading with live music of “Max and Willy’s Last Laugh.” Proceeds benefit Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills. 8 p.m. tonight, 5 p.m. Sunday. $100 reserved seats, $36 general admission, $18 students. James Bridges Theater at UCLA, 235 Charles E. Young Drive East. (310) 825-6792.

Beth Am Film Night
After Shabbat ends, Temple Beth Am resumes its film series with “Laces,” the story of a special needs son’s complex relationship with the aging father who abandoned him when he was a child. Film buff Michael Berlin leads a post-film discussion. Snacks served. 7 p.m. $12. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd. (310) 652-7353.

Our IDF Heroes
After a “Shabbat of Heroes” at Pico-Robertson synagogues Adas Torah, Beth Jacob, B’nai David-Judea and Young Israel of Century City, a meet and greet with heroes of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) takes place at The Mark. Ezer Mizion, the world’s largest Jewish bone marrow registry, organizes this gathering, highlighting how as of August, 2,000 IDF soldiers have donated their stem cells to 2,000 patients around the world. The evening features musician Shulem Lemmer performing during Havdalah and former Israeli Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau bringing greetings from the Jewish state. Israeli wines and food served. Adults only. RSVP required. 7:30 p.m. The Mark, W. 9320 Pico Blvd. (310) 247-2266.

SUN DEC 8

“Family Papers: A Sephardic Journey”
For centuries from the Greek port city of Salonica, the large Levy family of editors and publishers reported how the ever-changing state of modernity affected Sephardic Jews across the Ottoman Empire, including how 20th-century wars altered the borders around them. Historian Sarah Abrevaya Stein shares the true story of a frayed family that has been preserved through their letters. She discusses her award-winning book, “Family Papers: A Sephardic Journey Through the Twentieth Century,” with race and gender scholar Brenda E. Stevenson. 2 p.m. Free. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. (310) 440-4500.

Community Service Day
Attention all people who seek to make a difference immediately: The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles’ Community Service Day lasts all day and is a partnership between Federation and social service organizations working to make life better for their neighbors. Free. Prior registration required. For more information, email volunteer@jewishla.org.

“The Golden Gelt Room”
Join the Congregation Kol Ami community in “The Golden Gelt Room,” for an afternoon of comedy, casino games and pre-Hanukkah celebration. Comedian Liz Glazer performs. Mingle, nosh, drink, play and laugh with Kol Ami’s inclusive community. 4-6:30 p.m. $100. Congregation Kol Ami, 1200 N. La Brea Ave., West Hollywood. (323) 606-0996.. 

Hanukkah Angels Gift-Wrapping Event
There still is time to become a “Hanukkah Angel” in Kehillat Ma’arav’s community mitzvah program. Purchase a gift of any amount for one of 10 Chai Lifeline children with life-threatening illnesses, then bring it to the synagogue starting at 9 a.m. and join the synagogue’s religious school students in gift-wrapping from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Latkes and sufganiyot served. To learn about each child’s wish list or to become a “Hanukkah Angel,” contact Rose or Sharone Weizman at eddirector@km-synagogue.org. 1715 21st St., Santa Monica. (310) 829-0566.

Jewish ID Hanukkah Party
Even though Hanukkah doesn’t start for two weeks, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles (JBBBSLA) starts early. Bring the children to Stephen Wise Temple for a huge Hanukkah celebration co-organized by JBBBSLA and Kibbutz Bob Waldorf. Ideal for all ages. Candlemaking, Israeli dancing, dreidel games and camp activities highlight the event. If the $5 per person charge is too expensive (children 3-and-under are admitted free), contact Sofia Varona at (323) 456-1162 or sofia@campbobwaldorf.org. 4 p.m. $5. Stephen Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive.

Hanukkah and Christmas Concert
Wilshire Boulevard Temple stages a performance of peace, love and harmony. The congregation’s “Let There Be Light” concert of Hanukkah and Christmas melodies, co-organized by the Faithful Central Bible Church, features performers Dr. Dee, the BYTHAX Gospel Choir, Cantor Don Gurney and the Wilshire Boulevard Temple Adult Choir. Sufganiyot and holiday cookies are served after the concert. 4 p.m. Free. RSVP required. Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 3663 Wilshire Blvd. (213) 388-2401.

WED DEC 11

“Let’s Talk About Religion”
In the latest round of American Jewish University’s (AJU) discussion series “Let’s Talk About Religion: Jews, Christians and Muslims in Conversation,” a Jew and a Muslim examine rival and converging views on “Is Life Sacred?” Tonight’s topics are medical ethics, abortion and end-of-life issues, with Rabbi Elliot Dorff, rector and professor in philosophy at AJU, in discussion with Dr. Sana Khan, chairman and founder of the
AiM Radiology Medical Group. 7:30-9 p.m. $10. American Jewish University, Alan Shapiro Memorial Synagogue, 15600 Mulholland Drive. (310) 440-1572.

“The Holocaust and the Danish Exception”
The Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust holds a book signing and artist’s reception with acclaimed photographer Judy Glickman Lauder. Her photos are on exhibit in “Beyond the Shadows: The Holocaust and the Danish Exception.” Lauder, a Bay Area native, has been photographing Holocaust sites since the 1980s. She talks about her experiences. 7-8:30 p.m. $10 suggested donation. Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust in Pan Pacific Park, 100 The Grove Drive. (323) 651-3704.

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.