February 6-12, 2010

SAT | FEBRUARY 6

(DANCE)
The Westside Jewish Community Center’s Havana Nights offers salsa lessons, ballroom dancing and Cuban drummer Francisco Aguabella performing live. Sat. 8 p.m. $8 (members), $12 (nonmembers). WJCC auditorium, 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 284-3638. westsidejcc.org.

(FILM)
The Power of Jewish Film features three award-winning shorts by Israeli filmmakers, followed by a discussion with director Pazit Lichtman. Sponsored by the Whizin Center for Continuing Education and the Ma’aleh School of Television, Film & the Arts in Jerusalem. Sat. 8 p.m. $20. American Jewish University Gindi Auditorium, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. (310) 440-1246. wcce.ajula.edu.

(PARTY)
Snag a Valentine’s Day date at Sababa’s “Nothing But Love,” with DJ Titus, DJ Gil and DJ Samtabul; half-price drinks until 10:30 p.m.; and gift bags courtesy of Moist Wear. Sat. 9:30 p.m. $10-$15 (before 10:30 p.m.), $20 (after). Aqua Lounge, 424 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 657-6650. www.sababaparties.com.

(SEMINAR)
Yehuda Gertel, a yeshiva-educated psychologist, discusses his areas of expertise at a night for young couples (25-35): “Weathering the Storms of Stress: Building Internal Resilience.” Open to members of OU synagogues. Sat. 8 p.m. Free. Location provided upon RSVP. (310) 229-9000, ext. 201. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

(SHABBAT)
One Shabbat Morning celebrates comedy and community with performer Craig Taubman, comedian Bruce Fine, poet-comedian Rick Lupert and the band Soul Aviv. Sat. 9 a.m. (Torah study), 10 a.m. (Shabbat services), followed by Kiddush. Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 766-9426. adatariel.org.

SUN | FEBRUARY 7

(THEATER)
Pavel Cerny’s “Circus Welt” takes a look at 1933 Germany through the lens of a traveling circus, with Jews, blacks, gays and a communist hoping to stay below the Nazi radar. Sun. 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Through Feb. 14. $25. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (866) 811-4111. theatermania.com.

MON | FEBRUARY 8

(LECTURE)
“Hero: An Evening With Major General Doron Almog” spotlights an Israel Defense Forces war hero, speaking about his greatest challenge: raising an autistic son. Sponsored by Aleh Negev, Friendship Circle and Jewish National Fund. Mon. 8 p.m. $16 (advance), $20 (door). Hyatt Westlake Plaza Grand Ballroom, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. (818) 991-0991. jewishacademy.com.

TUE | FEBRUARY 9

(LECTURE)
A Wagner and Anti-Semitism panel features Leon Botstein, president of Bard College and principal conductor of the American Symphony Orchestra; University of Chicago’s David J. Levin; UCLA’s Kenneth Reinhard; and Indiana University’s Marc A. Weiner discussing German composer Richard Wagner’s music and politics. Tue. 7 p.m. Free. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 443-7000. hammer.ucla.edu.

WED | FEBRUARY 10

(FILM FESTIVAL)
San Diego Jewish Film Festival marks its 20th anniversary, showcasing over 50 Jewish-themed films from around the world, including documentaries, shorts, features and works from emerging filmmakers. Feb. 10-21. $6-$15. Various theaters. (858) 362-1348. lfjcc.org/sdjff.

THU | FEBRUARY 11

(BOOKS)
Congregation Kol Ami presents a launch for and readings from “Torah Queeries: Weekly Commentaries on the Hebrew Bible,” a collection of essays featuring gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight-allied writers, followed by a discussion on biblical views of sexuality, women’s rights and gay rights. Thu. 7:30 p.m. Free. Kol Ami, 1200 N. La Brea Ave., West Hollywood. (323) 606-0996. kol-ami.org.

(ISRAEL)
UCLA Israel Studies Program hosts “Real Estate or Holy Land: Conflicts of Sacred and Profane in the Making of Modern Israel,” a lecture by UCLA Near Eastern Languages and Cultures professor Arieh Saposnik. Thu. 4 p.m. Free. UCLA Faculty Center, Sequoia Room, 480 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles. (310) 825-9796. international.ucla.edu/israel.

FRI | FEBRUARY 12

(CONFERENCE)
With over 250 sessions, the LimmudLA 2010 conference has something for everyone: Bible raps, poetry, LGBT Jewish history, medical ethics, a comedy festival, Israeli folk dancing, Torah study and much more. Fri. through Feb. 15. Prices vary (includes all kosher meals). Hilton Orange County, 3050 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. limmudla.org.