June 12, 2008
Calendar Girls picks and clicks for June 14-20
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organizations are now allying to create the first Young Leadership Summit, featuring The Jewish Journal's longtime link to the Iranian community, Karmel Melamed, who will lead a discussion on "What Does Judaism Mean to You?" Melamed will examine the role of his journalistic reporting in relation to the varying viewpoints of Jewish community members as well as how the Iranian Jewish community contributes to wider social activism. Fri. 8 p.m. Free. Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel, 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 475-7311. http://www.sephardictemple.org/. (BOOK SIGNING)
Comic genius Lewis Black takes on two of the most buzz-worthy topics of our time -- politics and faith -- in his much anticipated book, "Me of Little Faith." In a series of satirical and honest essays, Black emphasizes the importance of a moral leader, rather than a religious one: "Since I don't have that much faith, I really don't care if my leaders have much either. But they constantly seem to want to show me just how religious they are and I DON'T CARE!" Going beyond faith on Capitol Hill, the Jewish comedian examines the discrepancies between people of opposing faiths, and he takes you on a journey of his own beliefs, or as he puts it, "lack thereof." Fri. 7:30 p.m. Free with book receipt. Vroman's Bookstore Courtyard, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. (626) 449-5320. http://www.vromansbookstore.com.
(SHABBAT)
You don't need to be a synagogue member or even a regular temple-goer to bask in the warm celebration of Shabbat. Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills is an inviting
Conservative Jewish congregation that makes every Friday night service a treat with a different twist. Tonight's theme is Bluegrass Shabbat -- an energetic, beat-infused service that brings ancient prayers into the modern world of sound. Composed and arranged by the synagogue's Hazzan Mike Stein, these musical Friday nights happen the third week of every month and rotate themes such jazz, rock, swing and more. All members of the Jewish community -- observant, secular, single-parent families, intermarried couples, blended families -- are welcomed with a smile and a song. Fri. 8:15 p.m. Free. Temple Aliyah, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 346-3545. http://www.templealiyah.org. (THEATER)
Not every Jewish woman was born to be a Jewish mother. Take, for example, Jewish Australian princess Susanna Brisk, the star of her own one-woman show, "Mamafied." When faced with the overwhelming challenges of motherhood and a mother whose life goal appears to be driving her to insanity, Brisk is forced to decide whether her family would be better off without her or whether it's finally time for her to step up to the plate and own up to the title of "mommy." Brisk is an Estonian-born Jewish actress whose life story will put a smile on your face and give mothers-to-be the resolve and confidence they need to jump the hurdles of becoming "Mamafied." Fri. 8:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Through July 27. $25. Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main St., Santa Monica. (310) 399-3666. http://edgemarcenter.org.
(THEATER)
Sit in on an ultra-modern Passover seder with the Price family, who have more tales to tell than the haggadah. The comedic production "The Last Seder," written by Jennifer Maisel, begins with the family patriarch being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. His wife plans to place him in a convalescent home and move in with her neighbor, with whom she is romantically involved. The seder table is packed with Price's four daughters and their significant others, including the pregnant lesbian Julia and her partner Jane; Michelle and a guy she met at the train station; and the long-absent Angel, who has reunited with her former boyfriend, a non-Jewish African American. Despite the odd mix of guests, tradition can't escape from this family gathering. Fri. 8 p.m. Through July 27. $20-$24. Greenway Court Theatre, 544 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 655-7679, ext. 100. http://www.greenwayarts.org.
Celia Soudry contributed to this article
