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What’s Happening: ‘Judaism In an Age of Truthiness,’ Gad Elmaleh

[additional-authors]
November 8, 2018
Alisa Weilerstein

FRI NOV 9

Alisa Weilerstein
Acclaimed cellist Alisa Weilerstein performs all six of Bach’s solo cello suites in one evening. Weilerstein began playing the cello at the age of 4, debuted with the Cleveland Orchestra when she was 13, and received an esteemed MacArthur Fellowship “genius grant” in 2011. She has entertained on four continents and performs on occasion with her parents — her father, a violinist and her mother, a pianist. 7:30 p.m. $45–$95. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Bram Goldsmith Theater. 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 746-4000.


SUN NOV 11

IKAR Senior Rabbi Sharon Brous

“Judaism in an Age of Truthiness”
In the era of so-called fake news, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Symposium 2 explores the various ways that contemporary Jews, particularly liberal Jews, grapple with the concept of the truth. “These Truths We Hold: Judaism in an Age of Truthiness” spans two days, through Nov. 12, and features 24 panelists, including academics, rabbis, screenwriters and journalists. The symposium poses challenging questions, including whether the truth, in any universal sense, remains a worthwhile concept in America; and if so, on what grounds might liberal Jews lay claim to the truth? Stephen Wise Temple Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, IKAR Senior Rabbi Sharon Brous and Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, president and dean of Valley Beit Midrash, are among the speakers. Glatt kosher meals served. Nov. 11: 8 a.m.–8:15 p.m. Nov. 12, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Early-bird registration for both days, $18–$200; for one day, $18–$100. Regular registration for two days, $36–$240; for one day $36–$130. Stephen Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Temple Drive, Los Angeles.

“Understanding the Pittsburgh Attack”
British journalist and social conservative Melanie Philliconservative “Understanding the Pittsburgh Attack: Lessons of Europe and Britain,” a unity brunch reflecting on the recent massacre of 11 Jews at the Tree of Life Congregation synagogue. Phillips, one of Europe’s most outspoken advocates for Israel, writes for the Jerusalem Post, the Jewish Chronicle of London and The Times of London. Organized by CAMERA, the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Jewish Journal readers can receive a discounted ticket price of $30 by entering the promotional code “Journal” on the event’s registration website:lacamerabrunch.eventbrite.com. Regular price $125. Space is limited. Reservations requested. Intercontinental Los Angeles Century City, 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Century City. (617) 377-6898. RSVP to Tracey Miller at tracey@camera.org.

“Blessings of the Earth” Concert
An interfaith concert of Jewish and Catholic musicians raises consciousness about global warming. Mixing Hebrew and Latin, the evening, called “Birkat Ha’Adamah/Beneficia Terrae,” features award-winning composer Maria Newman, Jewish songwriter Craig Taubman, Catholic composers Bob Hurd and Christopher Walker, and 250 choir members of the Catholic and Jewish faiths. Organized by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Doors 6:30 p.m. Free. Donations welcome. Parking $10. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple St., Los Angeles. (213) 680-5200.


MON NOV 12

America and Jewish Citizenship
“American Democracy and the Responsibility of Jewish Citizenship” — a panel discussion featuring Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane; Michael Avi Helfand, associate dean for faculty and research at Pepperdine University; Tamara Mann Tweel, an instructor at Columbia University’s American Studies Department; and Joseph Lipner, an intellectual property negotiator — addresses the obligations of a Jewish citizen of the United States in today’s political environment, and other topics. Organized by Shalhevet Institute and Shalhevet High School. 7:45–9:45 p.m. Free. Shalhevet High School, 910 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 930-9333.

TUE NOV 13

Dialogue with Israeli Navy Seal
Stephen Wise Temple Rabbi David Woznica interviews an American who left college to join one of Israel’s most elite military units, Shayetet-13. Every year, 20,000 young men try out to be in the unit — which has been compared to the U.S. Navy SEAL special operations force — but only 40 or fewer are accepted. The man being interviewed, known as “M,” discusses his personal journey, what serving in the storied unit was like, and how he uses the skills learned in the unit in his daily civilian life. 7:30 p.m. $20 general public, $15 temple members. Stephen Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen Wise Temple Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 476-8561.

Gad Elmaleh

Gad Elmaleh
Need a laugh? Gad Elmaleh, promoted as “the Jerry Seinfeld of French comedy” and “the Ben Stiller of France,” brings his Dream Tour to Los Angeles. The Casablanca native performs a show suitable for all ages and tells jokes in five languages: Hebrew, Arabic, Moroccan, French and English. 8 p.m. Doors open 7 p.m. $39.50–$49.50. Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 W. Eighth St., Los Angeles. (323) 931-1277.


WED NOV 14

Giving Voice to Biblical Women
“Filling the Gaps: Giving Voice to Biblical Women Through Modern Midrash,” a University Women Lunch and Learn program, features author Michal Lemberger (“After Abel and Other Stories”), Jewish Journal book editor and author Jonathan Kirsch and author Paul Boorstin (“David and the Philistine Woman”). The three authors discuss writing fiction and nonfiction while using the Bible as their source material. Noon. $25 members, $36 general. American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. (310) 440-1283.

“American Jews and Israel”
David Suissa, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Jewish Journal, discusses the relationship between Israel and American Jews during “American Jews and Israel: Why the Relationship Still Matters.” He appears in conversation with moderator Rick Entin, co-chair of Kehillat Israel’s Israel Matters Committee. Topics include internal Israeli politics, religious and civil rights, the peace process and the moving of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. 7 p.m. Free. Kehillat Israel, 16019 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2328.

Lesley Wolman
Singer Lesley Wolman sings “The Great Canadian Songbook.” A Canadian native, she has been performing in local theater and television since she was a child. She was a featured soloist with the Tom DeMoraes Big Band. Her big break came when she was cast in the Toronto production of “Shenandoah” with Hal Linden. She has also acted on the soap operas “All My Children” and “One Life to Live.” $35. 8 p.m. Also 8 p.m. Nov. 15 and Nov. 17, and 4 p.m. Nov. 18. Pico Playhouse, 10508 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (800) 838-3006.   


THU NOV 15

Woman to Woman Conference 
JVS SoCal’s sixth annual Woman to Woman Conference celebrates “Resilience: The Strength of Women.” Drawing young professionals, philanthropists and executives from a range of industries, the event kicks off with a breakfast networking reception, followed by a program and luncheon. Speakers include Justine Siegal, the first woman to coach for a Major League Baseball team; Michaela Mendelsohn, an entrepreneur and transgender activist; and Susan Feniger, master chef, restaurateur and bestselling author. Proceeds benefit JVS programs serving women in need. 8 a.m.–1 p.m., $200. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 306-4127.

Spanish Jews Lecture
Andrew Berns, assistant professor of history at the University of South Carolina, discusses “The Foundation of the World: The Ecological Ideas of Post-Expulsion Spanish Jews in Italy and the Ottoman Empire.” He examines how Jews in the wake of their banishment from Spain in 1492 developed ideas about the use and abuse of land. 4–5:30 p.m. Free. UCLA, Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies, 314 Royce Hall, Los Angeles. (310) 267-5327.

American Israel Gap Year Fair 
The American Israel Gap Year Fair, the only cross-denominational event of its kind in the country, prepares future high school graduates for a life-changing year before college. More than 50 different Israel programs appealing to students of all backgrounds participate. Fair attendees are exclusively eligible for the Rosina Korda Israel Gap Year Scholarship. 6:30–9:30 p.m. Free. YULA Girls High School, 1619 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles.  

Gratitude for Judaism
Sinai Temple Rabbi David Wolpe, who once wrote about the “Five Reasons Vampires Aren’t Jews,” discusses “The Top Five Reasons You Should Be Thankful for Judaism.” Organized for the young professionals of Atid. 7:30–9:30 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518.

“Election 2018: It’s On!”
Join the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State Los Angeles for analyses of the midterm election results. The “Election 2018: It’s On!” conference features nine experts examining and drawing conclusions about how people voted. Speakers include CNN analyst Ronald Brownstein; Carla Marinucci of Politico; Matt Barreto of Latino Decisions and UCLA; Janet Clayton of Southern California Edison; Warren
Olney of KCRW; Jessica Levinson of Loyola Law School; Darry Sragow of USC. 8:30 a.m.–2:15 p.m. $150 public. $50 Cal State L.A. faculty. Golden Eagle Ballroom, Cal State L.A., 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles.  (323) 343-3770.


Have an event coming up? Send your information two weeks prior to the event to ryant@jewishjournal.com for consideration. For groups staging an event that requires an RSVP, please submit details about the event the week before the RSVP deadline.

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