JEWISH HOLIDAYS: With the signing of a...

JEWISH HOLIDAYS: With the signing of a mutual recognition pact between Israelis and Palestinians set for Monday, just days before the start of the Jewish High Holidays, Rabbi Harold Schulweis of Encino’s Valley Beth Shalom suggested that there is a spiritual significance in the coincidence.

The Jewish New Year marks symbolically the anniversary of the Earth’s creation. “The human being is responsible for preserving that universe and renewing that creation,” Schulweis said in an interview.

“There is a great Talmudic expression, ‘Who is he who is strong?’ The answer is, ‘He who can make of an adversary a friend.’ To make Palestinians potential friends is a sign of tremendous moral strength.

“That appreciation must go to all the sides who were instrumental, from Israel Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Liberation Organization.”

Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin of the Stephen S. Wise Temple off Mulholland Drive said that he supports the government of Israel in its peace moves, but he cautioned that opinion is divided even in a relatively liberal Reform congregation such as his.

At the Aug. 27 Sabbath service attended by about 600 people, Zeldin (before any hint of a settlement was announced) asked the congregation if they would oppose or support a possible agreement. Sixty percent said no and 40% said yes, the rabbi said.

Rabbi Robert Wexler, president of the University of Judaism, located not far from Zeldin’s synagogue, said: “It’s going to require a serious reality adjustment. We are used to thinking of the PLO as an enemy of the Jewish people and not thinking of them as a partner working for peace. But I have a lot of confidence in Rabin and the fact that he would do nothing to jeopardize the security of Israel.”

*

INSTALLATIONS: A new cantor and a new rabbi will be formally installed in their positions tonight at two Valley synagogues.

Cantor Ira Bigeleison, formerly of Park Avenue Synagogue in New York City and a professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, will be installed at 8 p.m. at Congregation Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood.

Rabbi Stewart L. Vogel, formerly an associate rabbi at Valley Beth Shalom, will be installed in an 8:45 p.m. ceremony at Temple Aliyah, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. Rabbi Elliot Dorff, provost of the University of Judaism, will speak on “The Role of the American Rabbi in the 21st Century.”

*

PRESBYTERIAN CONFERENCE: The Rev. James A. Noel, assistant professor of racial, ethnic and urban studies at San Francisco Theological Seminary, will be the keynote speaker Sept. 25 at a leadership development conference to be held at La Canada Presbyterian Church.

The one-day meeting is co-sponsored by the San Fernando and San Gabriel Presbyteries. Late morning and early afternoon workshops deal with topics ranging from ministering to the homeless to “Christianity at the Movies.”

Registration cost before Sept. 20 is $10, lunch included. For information, call (818) 891-4781.

*

SPEAKER: The Rev. Sandy Krueger, a chaplain at AIDS Project Los Angeles, will be the guest speaker for the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday at Emerson Unitarian Church, 7304 Jordan Ave., Canoga Park.

*

FUND-RAISER: To benefit Catholic Charities’ Guadalupe Community Center in Canoga Park, a “La Fiesta” fund-raiser featuring Mexican music and food will be held at the center, 21600 Hart St., tonight between 6 and 10 p.m.

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