Calendar Picks and Clicks: Aug. 26 – Sept. 3, 2010

THU | AUG 26

(EDUCATION)
Valley Beth Shalom’s Rabbi Joshua Hoffman helps you prepare for the High Holy Days with “The Ethics of Teshuvah: Do You Need to Forgive and When Is It Time to Forget?” Hoffman uses Jewish texts and traditions to help attendees grasp the challenges and benefits of repentance. Thu. 7:30-9 p.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000. vbs.org.

FRI | AUG 27

(SHABBAT)
Santa Monica’s Congregation Beth Shir Sholom hosts a Tish-Ka-Bob barbecue followed by a musical Shabbat service featuring the synagogue’s all-member band, The TishTones. Fri. 7:30 p.m. Free. Beth Shir Sholom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 453-3361. www.bethshirsholom.org.

SAT | AUG 28

(FILM)
Enjoy Cinema Under the Stars with Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford as Temple Beth Am screens the Jewish Western comedy “The Frisco Kid” on its rooftop. Bring your beach chair, kick off your shoes, and enjoy the fresh air. Screenwriter Michael Berlin offers insights into the film and leads a post-screening discussion. Snacks and wine provided. Sat. 8:30-11:30 p.m. $15. Temple Beth Am, 3131 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7354, ext. 215. tbala.org/film.

SUN | AUG 29

(TELETHON)
Larry King hosts the 30th annual Chabad “To Life” Telethon. This year’s celebrity guest list includes Tom Arnold, Ed Begley Jr., James Caan, NBA champ Jordan Farmar, Louis Gossett Jr., Elliott Gould, Howie Mandel, Bob Saget, Martin Sheen and Jon Voight. Scheduled to perform are Broadway and Yiddish theater actor Mike Burstyn, singer-songwriter Matt Morris, 9-year-old piano prodigy Ethan Bortnick, M-Generation and Avraham Fried. Also, rabbis dancing in front of the tote board is a pretty safe bet. Money raised during the telethon helps support more than 200 community Chabad outreach centers and programs that provide social services to the needy and support for children with special needs. Sun. 8-11 p.m. KTLA 5, JLTV. Webcast at tolife.com.

WED | SEPT 1

(THEATER)
Four elderly Jewish men bond while picking out tiles in “The Men of Mah Jongg.” Directed by Richard Atkins, the comedy kicks off a four-week run tonight. Wed. Through Sept. 26. 8 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. $23-$25. Reuben Cordova Theatre at Beverly Hills High School, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 364-0535. theatre40.org.

THU | SEPT 2

(FOOD)
Tired of the same old Rosh Hashanah dinner recipes? Birthright Israel NEXT helps you spice up the traditional nosh with modern culinary flair during its cooking class, “Beyond Apples and Honey.” Thu. 6:30-10 p.m. $22. Sur la Table at The Grove, 6333 W. Third St., Los Angeles. (323) 330-9568. next.birthrightisrael.com.

(POLITICS)
Make educated decisions at the ballot box this November with the help of Raphael J. Sonenshein, a political science professor at California State University, Fullerton, and a Jewish Journal columnist, as he lectures on “What to Expect in the 2010 Election” for The Executives of the L.A. Jewish Home. The morning event includes breakfast prior to the talk. Thu. 7-9 a.m. $25 (members), $30 (general). El Caballero Country Club, 18300 Tarzana Drive, Tarzana. (818) 774-3332. jha.org.

(TELEVISION)
The Sadowskys, a Long Island Jewish family, adopt an 8-year-old Chinese orphan in “Wo Ai Ni (I Love You) Mommy.” The documentary by Stephanie Wang-Breal, which airs on the PBS series “P.O.V.,” highlights one story out of the 70,000 Chinese children who have been adopted by U.S. families and the challenges adoptees face adjusting to their new life. Tue. 9:30 p.m. KCET. pbs.org/pov.

FREE ROSH HASHANAH SERVICES

Welcome the Jewish New Year with music, words of wisdom, meaningful prayer, meditation and community courtesy of Nashuva. Rabbi Naomi Levy leads services, backed by the Nashuva band. Wed., Sept. 8: Erev Rosh Hashanah at Brentwood Presbyterian Church, 12000 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles (6:30 p.m.). Thu., Sept. 9: Rosh Hashanah First Day at Brentwood Presbyterian Church (9:45 a.m.) followed by drumming and shofar blowing during Taschlich at Venice Beach, where Venice Boulevard meets the beach (4:30 p.m.). Fri., Sept. 10: Rosh Hashanah Second Day hike (9 a.m.) followed by 10 a.m. services at Temescal Gateway Park, 15601 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. White casual dress is encouraged. nashuva.com/highholydays.html.

Jamie Masada continues his 28-year-old tradition of opening up The Laugh Factory to the Jewish community. Struggling comics, artists, actors and musicians will likely be among those who line up early at the West Hollywood club. Rabbi Bob Jacobs leads a Reform service, and televised coverage will be provided outside on Laurel Avenue if the event reaches overflow capacity. Tickets are not needed, but reservations are recommended. Thu., Sept. 9. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The Laugh Factory, 8001 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. RSVP to (323) 656-1336, ext. 1. laughfactory.com.

For more free High Holy Days services listings, visit jewishjournal.com/freehighholydays.