RABBINICAL AWARD: The American Friends of the...

RABBINICAL AWARD: The American Friends of the Hebrew University, San Fernando Valley Chapter, on Sunday will present Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis of Valley Beth Shalom with the Martin Buber Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.

Schulweis wrote a dissertation in 1948 on Buber, a Jewish philosopher whose major work “I and Thou” was first published in 1923.

“He became a cultural hero of mine,” Schulweis said. “He is known as the founder of Jewish existentialism and a great popularizer of Hasidim, a spiritual movement of the 18th Century.”

Schulweis, 67, who said Buber’s work influences the way in which he preaches, delivered a sermon about homosexuals and Jewish life on Rosh Hashanah this year that evoked an overwhelming response. During the sermon, he called for a monthly support group for gay and lesbian congregates and their families to be formed at the Conservative synagogue in Encino, where he has been rabbi for 22 years.

“This is to help them come out of the closet. From my point of view, it’s not an abomination, it’s not a perversion and it ought not to be treated like it’s some kind of divine curse.”

Recently, Schulweis said he has heard from other colleagues on the subject and is hoping other temples will form similar support groups for their members. About 75 people attended the first two meetings of the support group.

“They now have a rabbi’s blessing and they know we’re not shunning them,” he said. “They have an ally.”

Sunday’s event at the Universal City Hilton Hotel and Towers, 555 Universal Terrace Parkway, will begin at 10 a.m. with a conference featuring four noted academicians from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Lunch is scheduled for 1 p.m., at which time the Schulweis award will be presented and Professor Yehuda Bauer will deliver a speech on anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe. Admission to the morning conference is free and open to the public. Tickets for the lunch, available at the door, are $40 each.

WORKSHOP: A workshop for parents of stillborn or miscarried children, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Archdiocese’s Office of Family Life and the Catholic Cemeteries’ Bereavement Ministry, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 5011 White Oak Ave., Encino. Psychotherapist Susan Radwan Speraw and Father Pat Hill will lead the workshop titled “A Day of Healing and Hope.” The event will conclude with a memorial Mass. Cost is $10 per person, which includes lunch.

GUEST SPEAKER: Hebrew University Professor Shemaryahu Talmon will speak on “The Sale of the Mechpelah Cave: Its Historical and Sociological Setting” during the 9 a.m. Shabbat service today at Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood.

HOLIDAY BLUES: A workshop and discussion group on holiday blues will be led by Terry Drew Karanen, a Religious Science practitioner, from 10 a.m. to noon today at the Glendale Church of Religious Science, 2146 E. Chevy Chase Drive, Glendale. A $5 donation is suggested.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Local teen-age girls will join fellow members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 138 nations and territories today in performing community service projects. The event, called “Walk in the Light,” is sponsored by the church’s Young Women program, which is designed to promote spiritual growth, personal achievement and the development of leadership skills in girls ages 12 to 18. The projects will be decided locally, based on the needs of the individual communities. The event will kick off a yearlong commitment to community service.

HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR: Jack Pinto, an 85 year-old Holocaust survivor, will be the honored guest at the Lutheran Church of the Master, 13425 Glenoaks Blvd., Sylmar, at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service. Pinto’s wife and two children were killed in the Holocaust. Lunch will be served after the service. The public is invited.

ST. ANDREW’S DAY: A special St. Andrew’s Day celebration will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday at Kirk O’ The Valley Presbyterian Church, 19620 Vanowen St., Reseda. The traditional Scottish service will feature the Scottish singer Alex Beaton, the Highland Pipe Band and the Farrar Scottish Dance Group, also known as the Heather Highlights. Following the service, traditional Scottish food will be served. The public is invited.

ALTERNATIVE FAIRS: Alternative Christmas gift fairs are upcoming at three locations. First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills, 10400 Zelzah Ave., Northridge, will host a fair from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. St. James Presbyterian Church, 19414 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, will stage a fair from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday and St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church, 2563 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta, will host a similar event following the 7:30 and 10 a.m. services on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6. Donations can be made to various organizations that help improve social conditions worldwide.

FELLOWSHIP GROUP: Fellowship/Abiding Word, a Lutheran fellowship group, will present a program titled “Life Harvest” at 6 p.m. Sunday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1020 Brand Blvd., Glendale. It will feature a free screening of the Campus Crusade for Christ film titled “Jesus.”

THANKSGIVING SERVICE: A coalition of 10 local churches and temples, which jointly support the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry, will present the ninth annual Thanksgiving service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Michael and All Angels Church, 3646 Coldwater Canyon Blvd., Studio City. “Peace” will be the theme of readings and prayers offered by the clergy from each congregation. An adult interfaith choir will perform. Donations of food staples or money for the Interfaith Food Pantry will be received.

INTERFAITH COUNCIL: The Santa Clarita Valley Interfaith Council will sponsor its third Thanksgiving service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 23233 Lyons Ave., Newhall. Participants are asked to bring a donation of food, clothing or money to support the needy in the community.

COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP: The churches of Sunland, Tujunga and La Crescenta will combine to celebrate Thanksgiving at a special community Thanksgiving service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church, 10438 Oro Vista Ave., Sunland. The Rev. Craig Hall of the Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church will preach and the Chancel Choir of the United Methodist Church of Tujunga will sing.

News and announcements for this column can be sent to Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311.