May 25–31

By Ryan Torok
Published on May 22, 2013

Bridging the shores of the Mediterranean and the Pacific, entrepreneurs, investors, executives and tech enthusiasts from around the world converge on this two-day annual gathering at the Luxe Hotel on Sunset to learn about Israeli businesses and discover the next big trend.

Calendar Picks and Clicks: May 4-10, 2013

By Ryan Torok
Published on May 1, 2013

America’s largest community service festival, which started in 1999 as Temple Israel of Hollywood Mitzvah Day, attracts nearly 50,000 people from every neighborhood, race, religion, ethnicity and socioeconomic group to hundreds of projects in communities across Southern California. Volunteer projects include such activities as planting gardens at schools, fixing up homeless shelters and sprucing up dog parks. Big Sunday Weekend also features concerts, book fairs and blood drives. Fri. Through May 5. Various times. Free. Various locations. (323) 549-9944.

April 20–26

By Ryan Torok
Published on April 17, 2013

The 18th annual Festival of Books features more than 100 panels, stage presentations, music and children’s programs. Authors include Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket), singer Lisa Loeb, chef Susan Feniger and Journal contributors Jonathan Kirsch and Bill Boyarsky. Historian Jon Wiener moderates a discussion on “Holocaust Lives” with panelists Kirsch, Joe Bialowitz, Lillian Faderman and Marione Ingram. Sat. Through April 21. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Saturday), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sunday). Free (indoor Conversations and Book Prizes require tickets). University of Southern California campus, Los Angeles. events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks.

April 13-19

By Ryan Torok
Published on April 10, 2013

L.A. young adult groups celebrate Israel’s 65th Independence Day. This blue-and-white party (dress accordingly) at Hollywood club Lure features spinning by DJ Aviel, live performance art and drumming, drinks and kosher catering. 21 and older. Sat. 8:30 p.m. (“Get Back Israel Fair”), 9:30 p.m. (club night). $18 (online), $25 (door). Lure Nightclub, 1439 Ivar Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 761-8138. jewishla.org/unite.

Calendar Picks and Clicks: April 6-13, 2013 [YOM HASHOAH CALENDAR]

Published on April 3, 2013

This Arab-Jewish ensemble, composed of three members of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and four musicians from Israel’s Arab community, performs a concert for peace in honor of Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s 65th birthday. Sun. 4-6 p.m. Free. Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Irmas Campus, 11661 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (424) 208-8932.

March 30-April 5

By Ryan Torok
Published on March 28, 2013

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), longtime writer for “Saturday Night Live,” discusses “How the Jewish Tradition Has Influenced One Senator” for the University of Southern California’s 12th annual Warschaw Distinguished Lecture.

March 23-29

By Ryan Torok
Published on March 20, 2013

The popular public-radio series is back with live performances, featuring actors from stage and screen — including Leonard Nimoy, Josh Radnor and Parker Posey — reading classic and new short fiction about the pleasures and travails of everyday activities, from baking to ballroom dancing, card playing to movie watching, and knitting to sex.

March 16-22

By Ryan Torok
Published on March 13, 2013

Celebrate the Jewish people’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery with Pesach events that begin well before the first seder on March 25.

March 9-15

By Ryan Torok
Published on March 6, 2013

Explore multiple dimensions of Israel with Arieh Saposnik, director of UCLA’s Nazarian Center for Israel Studies, UCLA political science professor Steven Spiegel, visiting scholars and others during this One-Day University program at UCLA.

Mar. 2-8

By Ryan Torok
Published on February 27, 2013

One-third of the legendary Peter, Paul & Mary, the folk icon and political activist has reinvented himself by authoring children’s books that draw on egalitarian themes.

Feb. 23-Mar. 1

By Ryan Torok
Published on February 20, 2013

From the San Fernando Valley to Hollywood, West Los Angeles to the Eastside, synagogues and organizations celebrate one of the year’s liveliest holidays, which begins Saturday night. Highlights include Nashuva’s megillah rock opera, the Groundlings performing the story of Esther at Wilshire Boulevard Temple, and Sinai Temple poking fun at Taylor Swift and Cee Lo Green during its Purim Grammys. Between family-friendly events, activities for teenagers and risqué fare for ages 21 and older, there is something for everyone.

Feb. 16-22

By Ryan Torok
Published on February 13, 2013

Twelve artists explore personal spiritual healing in the works on display in this new exhibition.

Dec. 15-21

By Ryan Torok
Published on December 12, 2012

Set in 1930s Algiers, this animated adaptation of the beloved series by French comic-book artist Joann Sfar tells the story of a widowed rabbi, his beautiful daughter and a cat that swallows the family parrot and gains the ability to speak.

Oct. 27–Nov 2, 2012

By Ryan Torok
Published on October 24, 2012

IKAR’s Rabbi Sharon Brous and Rabbi Ronit Tsadok, American Jewish University’s Rabbi Aryeh Cohen and leaders of social justice organization Bend the Arc discuss the November ballot initiatives through a Jewish lens, addressing what Jewish tradition says about the death penalty, criminal justice and income equality.

Calendar Picks and Clicks: Oct. 20-26, 2012

By Ryan Torok
Published on October 17, 2012

When Israeli documentary filmmaker David Fisher discovers the memoir of his late father, a Holocaust survivor who was interned in Gusen and Gunskirchen, Austria, Fisher decides to retrace his father’s footsteps.

Calendar Picks and Clicks: Oct. 13-19, 2012

By Ryan Torok
Published on October 10, 2012

Dedicated to the life and memory of journalist Daniel Pearl, this October music month features concerts across the globe, including today’s performance of “Songs of Salomone Rossi: Harmony for Humanity” by Tesserae at Contrapuntal Recital Hall in Brentwood. Other concerts include Ray Dewey (Oct. 16);

Oct. 6-12

By Ryan Torok
Published on October 3, 2012

Feminist icon Gloria Steinem discusses reproductive rights and their importance in the upcoming presidential election. While this free event is open to the public, seating is limited. RSVP to zoe@history.ucla.edu. Sun. 7 p.m. Free. UCLA campus, Broad Art Center, Room 2160E, Los Angeles. (310) 825-4601. history.ucla.edu/events/gloria-steinem-lecture.

Fall Preview 2012: Calendar

By Ryan Torok
Published on September 10, 2012

The Broadway debut of “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone satirizes organized religion in lewd, crude — and musical — fashion. The story of two mismatched Mormon missionaries who are sent to Africa to proselytize pagans was deemed “best musical of this century” by The New York Times, won nine Tony Awards last year — including Best Musical — and is playing at the Pantages for a limited run. Fri. Through Nov. 25. 8 p.m. $35-$175. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (800) 982-2787. broadwayla.org.

Calendar Picks and Clicks: Sep. 1-7, 2012

By Ryan Torok
Published on August 29, 2012

Television icon Jason Alexander ("Seinfeld") hosts tonight's nostalgic celebration at the Hollywood Bowl, which honors Hollywood's oldest major studio. Led by conductor and acclaimed film composer David Newman ("Anastasia," "Ice Age"), the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra performs scores from Paramount's rich history, including "Wings," the first Academy Award winner for best picture, "The Godfather" trilogy, "Titanic," action-thriller "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" and many others.

Calendar Picks and Clicks: Aug. 25-31, 2012

By Ryan Torok
Published on August 22, 2012

The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony celebrates its 18th, or Chai, anniversary at the Ford Amphitheatre.

Calendar Picks and Clicks: July 7-13, 2012

By Ryan Torok
Published on July 5, 2012

L.A. performance artist and avant-garde clown April Hava Shenkman channels the comedy queens of Hollywood’s golden age for advice and wisdom. Follow Shenkman’s pursuit of happiness in this one-woman, cabaret-style performance. Sun. Through July 29. 9-10 p.m. $10. Atwater Crossing, The Platform at ATX Kitchen, 3245 Casitas Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 284-8265. atwatercrossing.com.

Oct. 28-Nov. 3

By Ryan Torok
Published on October 25, 2011

Actress Mayim Bialik (“The Big Bang Theory”) delivers the opening keynote during this daylong event, dedicated to strengthening the power of multigenerational Jewish women in Southern California. Workshops include “The Jewish Mandate for Social Action,” featuring a discussion on tikkun olam moderated by Rabbi Denise Eger, “Speaking Up: A Discussion of Issues Facing Women in Israel Today,” “Protecting Women’s Rights: Practices, Politics and Policies” and “The ABCs of Health Care: Access, Benefits and Costs.”

Calendar Girls picks and clicks for June 28 - July 4

By Dikla Kadosh and Danielle Berrin
Published on June 27, 2008

Celebrating Israel’s 60th, Skirball Style

By Tom Tugend
Published on April 17, 2008

There are many ways to celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary, and the Skirball Cultural Center is leading with its strength by offering a series of wide-ranging programs of art shows, music, film and lectures.

L.A. Gafni Event Canceled

By Julie G Fax
Published on May 25, 2006

Gafni was appointed to the Wisdom Chair at Stephen S. Wise two years ago -- despite anecdotal allegations that he had a history of sexual misconduct. The temple's senior rabbi this week issued a short statement denouncing Gafni.

Calendar

By Keren Engelberg
Published on May 19, 2005

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By Keren Engelberg
Published on May 12, 2005

KEREN'S CORNER, lectures, arts and entertainment, and events around town.

Calendar

By Keren Engelberg
Published on March 31, 2005

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By Keren Engelberg
Published on February 10, 2005

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By Keren Engelberg
Published on January 13, 2005

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By Keren Engelberg
Published on December 9, 2004

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By Keren Engelberg
Published on November 18, 2004

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By Keren Engelberg
Published on October 28, 2004

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Back to the Desert

By Shelly Malmon
Published on July 1, 2004

The weekend was spectacular, not only from an intellectual standpoint, but as a Jewish parent and communal professional. It was refreshing to see so many generations of Jewish families -- some with children, some without -- learning together, singing together and laughing together.

Egyptian Woman Speaks Out for Israel

By Lea Silverman
Published on April 22, 2004

Nonie Darwish spreads an Egyptian newspaper across her knees and points to an old black-and-white photograph of a family. She identifies her father, mother and siblings in the photo.

The Art of Religion

By Julie G Fax
Published on March 25, 2004

How did Israelite religion develop and evolve in its earliest years? What influences led to the centralization of power during the First Temple period? And how did changing perceptions of God fit into all of this?

7 Days In Arts

Published on February 26, 2004

7 Days In The Arts

Mrs. Smiles, You’re on the Air

By Gaby Wenig
Published on February 26, 2004

While the Los Angeles community has it share of rabbis and teachers who can teach a great class or two, there is always an allure of having someone come in from overseas as a special guest speaker. But now, airplanes are no longer necessary to get an overseas speaker to talk in Los Angeles.

7 Days In Arts

By Keren Engelberg
Published on February 5, 2004

7 Days In The Arts

Finding a Role for Woznica

By Marc Ballon
Published on June 5, 2003

David Woznica was anything but a model Hebrew school student.

East Meets West

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on April 3, 2003

About six months ago, Gregory Rodriguez, a contributing editor to the Los Angeles Times opinion section, phoned his friend, Rabbi Gary Greenebaum, West Coast regional director of the American Jewish Committee (AJ Committee). Rodriguez had attended events purported to promote intellectual fellowship among diverse Angelenos, but had found them not-so-diverse. "There's a lot of lip service paid to crossing barriers in this city, but many gatherings are organized around political or ethnic lines," Rodriguez said.

To mix things up a bit, the two friends went on to launch a program, co-presented by the Los Angeles Public Library. The series, Zócalo, which means "public square" in Spanish, will gather Eastsiders and Westsiders for private discussions and public lectures on crucial civic issues. It kicks off at the downtown Central Library's Mark Taper Auditorium on April 9 at 7 p.m., when the Economist's Washington correspondent Adrian Wooldridge, co-author of "The Company: A Short History of a Revolutionary Idea," will describe his take on the corporation as "an engine that can work for the public good as well as ill," Greenebaum said.

Light and Thanks

By Rob Eshman
Published on November 28, 2002

I spent most of this past week at the United Jewish Communities (UJC) General Assembly (GA), the annual gathering which, this year, brought nearly 4,000 Jewish communal representatives (and journalists) from North America, Israel and elsewhere overseas.

Losing the War for the Temple Mount

By Gary Rosenblatt
Published on August 15, 2002

While the military conflict between Israel and the Palestinians continues, there is one war the Jewish state appears to have lost -- without even a struggle.

Community Scholar

By Andrea Adelson
Published on January 17, 2002

Driven by a personal desire for intellectual growth, Arie Katz set out last year to attract to Orange County the sort of eminent Jewish scholars that few synagogues can afford to woo on their own. With little more than his own chutzpah and considerable networking skills, the Newport Beach attorney won support and financial backing from the area's most influential Jewish agencies to establish a community scholar-in-residence program. Its first event, at 7 p.m. Jan. 28, will kick off at the Jewish Federation Campus in Costa Mesa with the arrival of Avigdor Shinan, an Israeli professor and author.

Arnold, ‘Moses und Aron’

By Tom Tugend
Published on December 6, 2001

Los Angeles largely ignored Arnold Schoenberg, arguably the most influential and controversial composer of the 20th century, when he labored at USC and UCLA during the last 17 years of his life.

As if to make up for the slight, the city's musical and cultural institutions will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Schoenberg's death with an array of concerts, lectures and symposia through next March.