Immaculate Heart College Center has published a...

Immaculate Heart College Center has published a booklet of resources for the study of violence against women that may be an eye-opener for clergy and laymen: It includes theological and ethical aspects of sexual abuse and harassment.

The nine-page annotated bibliography, “Resources in the Study of Gender Violence,” describes 60 books, articles, videos and other curriculum materials that address brutality against women. It was compiled by Pat Reif, chairwoman of the graduate program in feminist spirituality, and Sarah S. Forth, assistant chairwoman of the program.

“We chose to get involved because oftentimes religious sources are used to justify or sanction violence against women, particularly spousal abuse,” Forth said. “I can’t tell you the number of times women who have been beaten say: ‘They told me I should forgive him because it’s the Christian thing to do.’ Or, ‘It is man’s right to rule over woman.’ They even quote chapter and verse from Scripture,” she said, particularly Ephesians 5:22 and 5:23.

Although the booklet was not written only for members of the clergy, some of its listings offer guidance to Christian pastors who want to help women who want to stay in the church understand the meaning of the biblical text and its relevance to their lives.

Other resources offer aid in dealing with victims of rape and domestic violence. They explain how to convey that women have rights and that abuse is not sanctioned by their faith. A few listings discuss sexual abuse by clergy.

Forth believes that the bibliography will be valuable to clergy in particular, but also to those involved with child abuse cases, rape crisis centers and battered women’s shelters.

Immaculate Heart, a graduate education and research institution in Los Angeles, is cooperating in an international effort to gather signatures for a petition calling upon the United Nations to recognize the violations of women’s rights as human rights violations. Immaculate Heart is circulating petitions to be presented in June to the U.N. World Conference of Human Rights in Vienna.

Resources listed in the bibliography may be used at the center library weekdays and Saturdays, and some may be borrowed. A copy of the booklet or the petition may be obtained from Immaculate Heart College Center, 425 Shatto Place, Suite 401, Los Angeles CA 90020. For the booklet, send $2.50; for the petition, a self-addressed, stamped envelope. For information, call (213) 386-3116.

HONORS

President Emeritus Rabbi David Lieber of the University of Judaism will be honored for 29 years of service to the university and community at a dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Lieber’s friend Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of the best-selling “When Bad Things Happen to Good People,” delivers the keynote address. For reservation information, phone (310) 476-9777.

The Rev. G. Merrill Lenox was feted at the recent 25th anniversary assembly of the Pomona Valley Council of Churches in recognition of his service as its first executive director.

Lenox served the council after retiring from a distinguished career as a minister and an ecumenical leader. He hosted a weekly radio broadcast for 30 years and wrote for Christian Century and the Detroit Free Press. A highlight of his ecumenical career was an invitation to sit on the platform when the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” address in Washington. Since 1970, Lenox has lived at Pilgrim Place, a religious and cultural community in Claremont for retired church professionals.

GROUPS

An “Un- and Under-Employed Support Group” for people facing career dislocations meets every Thursday from 7-8 p.m. at Mishkon Tephilo synagogue, 206 Main St., Venice. Psychologist George Katz leads the forum, designed to help individuals cope with the emotional distress of job transition. There is no fee. Call (310) 392-3029 for information and registration.

First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica offers a five-week workshop titled “A New Beginning,” designed to teach its participants skills for living through major emotional losses--such as death of a loved one, divorce or separation. Led by a licensed counselor, the group meets from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., beginning Tuesday. The fee is $35. Registration is required. (310) 393-8258.

The National Council of Jewish Women offers non-sectarian women helping women services, including “Know Thyself,” a self-esteem support group meeting at noon Mondays at council headquarters. The group focuses on needs of women in the changing job market. The council also offers a bimonthly walk-in Job Search Resource Center, as well as career workshops. Phone for times.

Applications are available for a spring paraprofessional counselor training program, which trains volunteers for hands-on service to the community. The National Council of Jewish Women is at 543 N. Fairfax, Los Angeles. (213) 651-2930.

DATES

“The Azusa Street Revival,” a musical docudrama written and directed by Andre David Brooks, will be performed at the J. L. Caston Center of Trinity Baptist Church through Sunday, Feb. 7. The play tells the story of the origins of the Pentecostal movement and its founder, William J. Seymour, an African-American. The church is at 2040 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles. For ticket information, phone (213) 735-0044.

Michael J. Engh, Jesuit priest and author of “Frontier Faiths: Church, Temple and Synagogue in Los Angeles, 1846-1888,” speaks about the city’s interfaith history at a 12:15 p.m. luncheon meeting Sunday at First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, 540 S. Commonwealth Ave., Los Angeles. Suggested donation is $5. (213) 385-1341.

A special class for interfaith couples and those contemplating intermarriage is offered by the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (the Reform Movement). The 18-session course, which is not aimed at conversion, provides basic understanding of Jewishness and Judaism “so that both partners feel empowered to decide what role Judaism will play in their marriage.” Upon completion of the course, resources are available for linking individuals and couples with support groups in synagogues and further discussion of intermarriage issues. For information, phone Gaye Levy at (213) 653-9962.

FELLOWSHIP

Secondary schoolteachers of social studies or literature whose curricula can include Holocaust studies are eligible to apply for a summer fellowship in Israel and Poland. The Jewish Labor Committee, American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and American Federation of Teachers are helping to underwrite the July 12-Aug. 4 seminar. Participants pay part of their travel and tuition. For applications, contact the Jewish Labor Committee, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 312, Los Angeles, CA 90048. (213) 653-3501.

Please address notices to: Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. To receive consideration, an item must be brief and arrive at least three weeks before the event.