A Los Angeles Jewish children’s museum Sunday...

A Los Angeles Jewish children’s museum Sunday will open its newest exhibit, called “My Family’s Roots and Routes.”

My Jewish Discovery Place Children’s Museum of Jewish Community Centers Assn., which has been visited by more than 10,000 children and adults since it opened a year and a half ago, is an interactive, experiential museum geared toward teaching Jewish values.

The latest exhibit focuses on the family, as well as immigrant journeys to this country, said Esther Netter, museum executive director.

“In celebrating immigrant cultures from around the world, it has both a specific Jewish message and also a very universal one,” she said.

The exhibit will include an eight-foot-tall Statue of Liberty made with 12 interactive cubbyholes. Each will be filled with a re-creation of an immigrant’s memento, such as a grandmother’s pearl necklace, a baby quilt or a pair of candlesticks. Each item will have an immigrant’s story attached to it.

Additional highlights include a time travel machine to Spain in the 1400s, flight simulation to Israel and a dollhouse synagogue.

Throughout the museum, children are encouraged to touch, put on costumes and to become part of the exhibits.

“Families and children that come become their own teachers,” Netter said. “Through their imagination, they visit Ellis Island, they talk to life-size dolls and hear their experience, they put their feet into shoes from around the world. It demands, in the best sense, the use of one’s imagination and creative thought.”

Fortuna Ippoliti, 42, a docent at the museum, said she appreciates the center for “filling a spiritual void. I didn’t know anything about my religion; now I’m learning, and I can pass it on to my daughters.”

The exhibit opens at 1 p.m. on Sunday, and the day’s events will include a concert by children’s musical entertainer Robbo, storytelling and face-painting. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door, and $5 for grandparents. 5970 W. Olympic Blvd. (213) 857-0036.

DATES

* The South Coast Ecumenical Council is offering an introduction to feminist liberation theology on Sunday, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., in the parlor of the Belmont Heights United Methodist Church, 317 Termino Ave., Belmont Heights. (310) 595-0268.

* Holman United Methodist Church will hold an interfaith, inter-ethnic community celebration Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., to honor the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. The community prayer breakfast is sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Inter-religious Council of Southern California. Rabbi Harvey Fields of Wilshire Boulevard Temple and the Rev. Kenneth Flowers of Messiah Baptist Church will be the keynote speakers. Reservations suggested. 3320 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 250-8787.

* Mayor Richard Riordan will join Temple BethHillel congregants during Shabbat services on Friday at 7 p.m. 12326 Riverside Dr., North Hollywood. (818) 763-9148.

* Philip Yancey, author of “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made,” “In His Image,” “Where is God When it Hurts” and “Disappointment with God,” will speak at Malibu Presbyterian Church on Sunday. He will discuss “Exploiting God’s Generosity” at the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services, and at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. The theme will be “Disappointment with God.” Space is limited, reservations are needed for dinner. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for students, $25 per family. Fire survivors will be admitted for free, but call in advance. 3324 Malibu Canyon Road. (310) 456-1611.

* Queen of Angels-Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, in conjunction with other health organizations, is sponsoring a free health fair Jan. 16, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 6657 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care experts will be on hand to answer questions, and informational pamphlets will be available. There will be free blood pressure, stroke, body fat, and vision testing and screening. Other tests will be available for a small fee. (213) 462-6311.

CONCERTS

* Geraint Wilkes, a noted tenor, will be the guest conductor and soloist during the “Gymanfa Ganu”--Welsh for hymn-singing festival--on Sunday at 1:30 p.m., at the Welsh Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles. 1153 Valencia St. (213) 465-1381.

* The Cantors Assembly presents “The Sounds of Sacred Music,” Tuesday at 8 p.m., at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. The concert will feature members of the Western Region of the Cantors Assembly performing traditional Jewish folk music, art songs and liturgical masterpieces. Admission is $18, groups of 10 or more, $15. Tickets can be obtained through Ticketmaster, or by calling (213) 480-3232. 10400 Wilshire Blvd.

* The University of Judaism begins its Winter Cultural Arts series Wednesday at the Gindi Auditorium with a concert by the First African Methodist Episcopal Church choir at 8 p.m., in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Admission is $12 per person, with a 20% discount for 10 or more. 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 476-9777, extension. 335.

Notices may be sent to Southern California File by mail c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or by fax to (213) 237-4712. Items must be brief and arrive at least three weeks before the event. Include a phone number, date, time and full address.