March 7, 2008
Calendar Girls picks and kicks for March 8 -15
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http://www.jmcla.org.(ISRAEL AT 60)
What better way to celebrate Israel's 60th birthday than to watch a vibrant Israeli dance company perform traditional dances from the region? The Keshet Chaim Dance Ensemble, along with singer-songwriter Julie Silver, will unleash their talents and energy at "Music Music Music: A Celebration of Israel's 60th Birthday." Former Catskills and Miami Beach entertainer Archie Barkan �"whose performance and presence is best know as "Yiddish, Yinglish and Borscht" -- will act as master of ceremonies. 3 p.m. $18-$30. Reform Temple of Laguna Woods, Clubhouse 3, 23822 Avenida Sevilla, Laguna Woods. For tickets call (949) 454-0662.
(POETRY)
Award-winning poet Peter Cole brings the Judeo-Christian West together with the Middle East through poetry in "Al-Andalus to Jerusalem: A Poetry Tour From Andalusia to Modern Israel/Palestine." The 2007 MacArthur Fellow will present his writing in the context of historical parallels between Arabic and Hebrew from Medieval Spain to the Middle East. In his talk, Cole will discuss the post-Sept. 11 "clash of civilizations" specifically within the Arab-Muslim vs. Judeo-Christian world. Cole's 2007 National Jewish Book Award-winning anthology, "The Dream of the Poem: Hebrew Poetry from Muslim and Christian Spain, 950-1492," recreates the atmosphere of Medieval Spain, revealing its wisdom, richness, humor and gravity. 3-6 p.m. $20-$30. Levantine Center at Pacific Arts Center, 10469 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 657-5511. http://www.levantinecenter.org/.
(PURIM)
Every person's childhood memories should be filled with the smell of cotton candy, the splash of a dunking tank and the sounds of giddy barefoot children in a moon bounce. Create those memories with your kids this weekend at Beth Shir Sholom's Purim Carnival. You don't have to be a member to enjoy the great food, the face painting, the games and the bake sale, so get everyone dressed and don't forget your camera -- you'll want photos to go along with those memories! 9:30 a.m. (Purim Shpeil), 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (carnival). Free. Beth Shir Sholom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 453-3361. http://www.bethshirsholom.org.
(SEMINAR)
Before J.J. Goldberg became an award-winning journalist and the editorial director of the Forward, he helped found Kibbutz Gezer near Tel Aviv and worked as a taxi driver in New York City. But Goldberg is not going to talk about himself at the Ameinu/Progressive Jewish Alliance Spring Seminar today. Instead, he'll discuss something he's far more passionate about: Israel and the American Jewish community. The daylong seminar will include two lectures, "Israel: the Peace Process -- Starting Over" and "The Race for the White House and the Stakes for the Jewish Community," broken up by a kosher luncheon and followed by discussion sessions. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $20 (Ameinu and PJA members), $25 (general). Institute of Jewish Education, 8339 W. Third St., Los Angeles. (323) 761-8350.
TUE | MARCH 11
(DIALOGUE)
Evangelical Christian support for Israel makes some Jews nervous. But the Rev. John Hagee has an impressive 
Zionist resume: the founder and national chairman of Christians United for Israel (CUFI) has visited Israel 23 times, met with every Israeli prime minister since Menachem Begin, rallied for support at AIPAC's Policy Conference and donated more than $10 million to help Jews from the former Soviet Union make aliyah. During Stephen S. Wise's ongoing series focusing on critical issues, Rabbi David Woznica will join Hagee to discuss the theology of Christian evangelism, the current state of Jewish-Christian relations and why evangelicals feel such steadfast support for Israel. Following the talk, The W Group (20s and 30s) will be mingling over cookies and cakes at a special dessert reception. 7:30 p.m. $12. Stephen S. Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. (888) 380-9473. http://www.wisela.org. (FOOD)
Here's a pickle for ya: what makes those plump pickles kosher? Sure they're staple appetizers at any deli, but what they are made of reveals oodles about the laws of kashrut. Join Chabad Hebrew High School for a delectable and informative afternoon of "Kosher Pickle Making" that promises to demystify the pickle -- and you can eat some, too. 4:30 p.m. $12. Chabad Jewish Center in Laguna Beach, 30804 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach. (949) 499-0770.
(ISRAEL)
The Israeli Consulate and Bnei Akiva invite you to celebrate the heroism of Israel's fallen soldiers during an intense and meaningful evening. The families of two soldiers will open their hearts about their loss during an evening benefit showcasing the film "With All Your Soul: The Story of Roi Klein" and the television documentary "Noam Apter's Bravery at Yeshivat Otniel. Dessert reception will follow the screenings. 7 p.m. $100-$3600. The Writer's Guild of America West Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. (818) 919-4487.
(THEATER)
Although Johnny Depp was devilishly delicious in the recent film version, there's nothing quite like seeing a live production of the bloody "Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street." With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, this inventive new incarnation of the 1979 Broadway hit has the cast members wearing several hats: as actors and as musicians, many of them playing multiple instruments. This production, directed and designed by John Doyle, received six Tony Award nominations after it opened on Broadway in 2005. 8 p.m. Through April 6. $30-$90. Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 628-2772. http://www.centertheatregroup.org.
WED | MARCH 12
(BOOK TALK)
Traveling with the Peace Corps and lending a hand to destitute villagers seems hard enough. Try doing that as deaf person. Yale University and New York University educated author Josh Swiller will discuss his journeys through Zambia and other small villages in Africa along with his sharply written first book, "The Unheard: A Memoir of Deafness and Africa," which documents his harrowing yet hopeful life struggles. Born deaf, Swiller grew up wearing hearing aids, and in 2005 underwent cochlear implant surgery that enabled him to hear and converse. 7 p.m. Free. Library Foundation of Los Angeles, 630 West Fifth St., Los Angeles. (213) 228-7025.
