AGING CONFERENCE: A conference on aging co-sponsored...

AGING CONFERENCE: A conference on aging co-sponsored by a consortium of religious agencies will be held Wednesday at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino.

Dr. Robert Perry Kahn-Rose, director of the special care unit at Valley Hospital Medical Center, will give the keynote speech during the 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. meeting. Workshop topics include respect for cultural differences, legal issues affecting the elderly, alternatives to institutionalization and spirituality for the aging.

Sponsoring organizations are the Catholic Charities’ Commission on Aging, San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council, Jewish Family Services’ Valley Storefront, Holy Spirit Retreat Center, Holy Cross Hospital, Northridge Hospital Medical Center and Valley Hospital Medical Center.

Registration, including lunch, is $10. For information, call (818) 784-4515 or (818) 888-1865.

JEWISH FUND: Author-lecturer Danny Siegel is the keynote speaker Sunday at a San Fernando Valley Alliance United Jewish Fund celebration during which lay leaders from Reform, Conservative and Orthodox synagogues in the Valley will be honored for their work.

The Brandeis-Bardin Klezmer Ensemble will perform at the 6 p.m. event at Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd. The cost is $50 per person, which includes a reception and dessert.

For more information, call (818) 587-3200.

BIBLE STUDY: The Rev. Althea Spencer-Miller, a Jamaican pursuing a doctoral degree in religion at Claremont Graduate School, will begin a four-week course on the Book of Acts at Kirk o’ the Valley Presbyterian Church in Reseda, starting at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

The adult discussion course will be held in the parlor of the church, 19620 Vanowen St. For information, call (818) 345-2535.

YOUTH MINISTRY: Jim Burns, president of the National Institute of Youth Ministry, will be the principal speaker during a two-day Conference on the Family starting Sunday at Glendale Presbyterian Church, 125 S. Louise St. For information, call (818) 242-8873.

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