“Fiddler on the Roof” FRI DEC 22
“FACES OF HOMELESSNESS: BRINGING OUR NEIGHBORS HOME FOR GOOD”
The exhibition features oil-on-canvas portraits by Stuart Perlman of area homeless people that are accompanied by biographies of the subjects. Perlman, who has been a psychologist and psychoanalyst in Los Angeles for more than 30 years, began painting these portraits in 2010. He spent hours listening to his subjects’ stories and getting to know them. He has painted 200 portraits of homeless people who have lived on Venice Beach and Skid Row. Through March 7. By appointment. Free. Council House, 543 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 852-8512. ncjwla.org.
FINAL SHABBAT FLOW OF 2017
Experience the peace and presence of Shabbat through the mindful movement of a vinyasa flow yoga class. Live music, chanting, challah. No seats, no books, no stress. Welcome, namaste and shalom! Bring your yoga mat, towel and water, and wear comfortable exercise clothes. Roll out your mat, take stock in what you accomplished in 2017 and set intentions for 2018. Hosted by Om Shalom Yoga. 8 p.m. $15. Space limited; guests admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Yogaraj Yoga Studio, 2001 S. Barrington Ave., Los Angeles. (Free parking in the structure next door.) (424) 299-2507. facebook.com/omshalomyoga.
SAT DEC 23
“THE MENORAH”
Like Hanukkah, this night of improv comedy has a theme of eight: eight scenes from eight improvisers. One person begins a scene, which builds to an eight-person scene, then revisits all of the show’s scenes again. Featuring Beth Appel, Hal Rudnick, Jonny Svarzbein, Talia Tabin, Danny Cymbal, Matthew Brian Cohen, Jake Fallon and Heather Sundell. 7 p.m. $7. UCBT Franklin, 5919 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 908-8702. franklin.ucbtheatre.com.
“WE ARE AMERICA”
Pink Lady and Senior Star Power present this musical salute to veterans. Performers range in age from their 60s to their 90s, but they bring the sassy, the sexy and the sizzle in this revue featuring singing and dancing. Through Dec. 31. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 31. $25-$45 (Dec. 23 and 30), $60 (Dec. 31). Madrid Theatre, 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park. (818) 400-2701. brownpapertickets.com/event/3097240.
SUN DEC 24
“FIDDLER ON THE ROOF” SINGALONG
Tevye, Golde and the folks of Anatevka light up Norman Jewison’s musical film, which plays at Laemmle theaters across Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. This year marks a decade since Laemmle began this annual “Tradition,” featuring Jewish leaders serving as hosts of the screenings, prescreening trivia and prizes for “Fiddler” buffs, and more. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in costume. Children are welcome. 7:30 p.m. Additional 5 p.m. screening at the Town Center 5 in Encino. $18 (general), $15 (seniors, students). Town Center 5, 17200 Ventura Blvd.; NoHo 7, 5420 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood; Ahrya Fine Arts, 8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; Playhouse 7, 673 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; Royal, 11523 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; Claremont 5, 450 W. Second St., Claremont. (310) 478-3836. laemmle.com.
ELON GOLD’S “MERRY EREV XMAS”
Stand-up comedian Elon Gold performs on Christmas Eve with special guests at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood. Come for his spot-on Jeff Goldblum and Woody Allen impersonations; stay for his humorous insights about what it is to be Jewish in contemporary America. 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m., $35 (general), $55 (VIP). Laugh Factory, 8001 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 656-1336, ext. 1. laughfactory.com/clubs/hollywood.
MOSTLY KOSHER
The indie klezmer and folk band puts a modern twist on traditional Jewish sounds when it performs at the 58th annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration. Led by musician Leeav Sofer, who was named one of the Jewish Journal’s “30 Under 30,” Mostly Kosher bridges Jewish and American musical roots. Other performers at this multicultural event presented by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors include VOX Femina Los Angeles, a choir of 34 women that will perform Hanukkah and Christmas songs. Musicians from Korea, Hawaii, West Africa and elsewhere also perform. Those who can’t make it in person can catch a broadcast of the event on KOCE, the PBS SoCal station. The event also will be streamed live at pbssocal.org. 3-6 p.m. Free (first come, first served). Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 972-3099. musiccenter.org/holidaycelebration.
“JOKES FOR JEWS”
Spend Christmas Eve laughing with a lineup of nearly a dozen comedians. Michael Gelbart, who has appeared on Comedy Central, Teen Nick, the Disney Channel and Starz, headlines. Additional performers include Adam Feuerberg, Dana Eagle and Joshua Snyder. 7 p.m. $20. Flapper’s Comedy Club Burbank, 102 E. Magnolia, Burbank. (818) 845-9721. flapperscomedy.com.
THE BALL 2017
Mix, mingle and socialize at this Jewish singles event in West Hollywood. (What else are you going to do on Christmas Eve?) Previous years have drawn upward of 1,000 attendees, so arrive early to avoid long lines. 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. $35-$50. Bootsy Bellows, 9229 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. letmypeoplego.com.
MATZOBALL
Find your bashert in time for New Year’s. The 31st annual MatzoBall on Christmas Eve draws young Jewish singles looking for friendships, hookups and marriages. 21-and-older only. IDs required. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $30. Spare Room (Inside the Roosevelt Hotel), 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. matzoball.org/our_events/matzoball-los-angeles.
MON DEC 25
TEMPLE ISRAEL OF HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS MEAL
Temple Israel of Hollywood has held an annual Christmas meal for the underprivileged and homeless for more than 30 years. Volunteers are needed for the event’s setup, parking lot control, food service and cleanup. Setup is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 23 (open to all ages). Christmas Day shifts are 6-10 a.m. for early food preparation (13 and older), 6:30-10 a.m. for parking lot control (13 and older), 8-10 a.m. for first shift (13 and older) and 4-5 p.m. for cleanup. The meal is served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hollywood United Methodist Church, 6817 Franklin Ave., Hollywood. (323) 874-2104 (church); (323) 876-8330 (temple). tioh.org.
“DREAMING OF A JEWISH CHRISTMAS”
Director Larry Weinstein’s irreverent musical documentary tells the story of a group of Jewish songwriters, including Irving Berlin, Mel Torme and Johnny Marks, who wrote the soundtrack to Christianity’s most musical holiday. It is a tale of Jewish immigrants and how they used their talent to go from being outsiders to the creative forces behind Christmas’ most memorable music. A Q-and-A follows with classic film and music expert Michael Schlesinger. Noon. $11. Laemmle Town Center, 17200 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (800) 838-3006. lajfilmfest.org.
ONE-ON-ONE OUTREACH DELIVERY
Join congregants of synagogue Kehillat Israel in packing and delivering groceries and toys to low-income families in South Central Los Angeles. Co-founded by Kehillat Israel member Michael Schwartz, One-on-One Outreach is a volunteer organization that convenes once a month to help those in need. Noon to 2 p.m. Email Michael@oneononeoutreach.org for additional information. (310) 459-2328. ourki.org.
THU DEC 28
LUNCH ’N’ LEARN WITH RABBI VOGEL
Temple Aliyah Rabbi Stewart Vogel discusses and analyzes the week’s Torah portion. This interactive classic offers insights into Judaism’s most sacred text. Accessible for beginner students. No Hebrew or previous Torah experience necessary. 12:15-1:45 p.m. Free. Temple Aliyah, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 346-3545. templealiyah.org.
“AN AMERICAN TAIL”
Executive producer Steven Spielberg’s classic animated movie follows a Jewish family of mice emigrating from Russia to America by ship. At the center of the story is a young mouse named Fievel Mousekewitz, who gets lost from the rest of his family. Fievel’s family presumes he is adrift at sea, but Fievel makes it to New York and meets a bustling crew of colorful characters. Throughout the adventure, the little mouse is determined to reunite with his family. The film screens at the Skirball Cultural Center as part of “Family Film Series: Journeys Near and Far.” On Jan. 4, Pixar’s “Up” closes the series. 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Free. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.
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