The call is going out to synagogues,...

The call is going out to synagogues, Jewish organizations and individuals: “The Los Angeles Public Library needs to copy your old photographs.”

The “Shades of L.A.” flyer reads: “Photos that reflect the community life and diversity of the Jewish population in Southern California are underrepresented in the Central Library’s collection and aren’t readily available to writers, researchers, teachers . . . or you.”

For Carolyn Cole, a fourth-generation photographer who conceived the Shades of L.A. project, this is the 10th installment in a search for visual ethnic history. Cole discovered in the 1980s while curating photo exhibits for the library that its archives reflected an image of a city that was predominantly white and middle or upper class. She began, on her own, to solicit photos from other sources to round out the exhibits.

In 1991, she founded the nonprofit Photo Friends of the Los Angeles Public Library. The search for images of Jewish life here is part of its Shades of L.A. project, which has drawn support from the energy firm Sunlaw Cogeneration Partners I and the California Council for the Humanities.

Now in its second phase, the project has already collected photos copied from family albums, business files and church and temple archives in the Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Pacific Islander and Native American communities in Los Angeles.

Karin Stellwagen, the project coordinator, said “We’re finding that religion plays a large role in each group’s cultural cohesiveness. It’s a strong part of the tradition. Besides worship and life-cycle rituals, religion-based social service organizations helped immigrants as they settled here.”

Cole said the response has been enthusiastic. “The Jewish community has always been aware of preserving its history,” she said. “We’re working with the Jewish Historical Society and scholars from the universities.”

Unlike most ethnic groups, Jews come from many countries. Cole has already made contacts among Russian Jewish emigres, but has yet to view photographs from Jewish families from areas such as India, Burma, Ethiopia and North Africa.

“Sometimes,” she said, “people are surprised at what we’re looking for. They want to steer us to what they think history is. We’re looking for everyday life, including birthday celebrations, back-yard barbecues and Boy Scout outings, as well as a Seder meal or Bar Mitzvah.”

A “picture criteria” sheet lists such public places as cemeteries, hospitals, restaurants and parks as sought-after backgrounds. Good shots of family celebrations and vacations, school, church and community events and holidays are also desired.

The process is simple, Cole explained, but labor-intensive. People phone ahead and describe their snapshots. Trained volunteers will be at the library on May 7 to view photos of those who have made prior arrangements. A copy will be made on the spot of the photographs that have been selected.

The next phase of the project will focus on gathering photos from the Israeli, Iranian, Turkish and Arab communities, as well as from the Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian and other Southeast Asian communities. It has already collected photos in the Armenian community.

The process will continue through 1996, and Cole emphasized that there will also be “open days” next year, to view photos from communities that have not been specifically targeted.

Those interested in volunteering their time to Shades of L.A. may come to a training workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday in Meeting Room B of the Central Library, 630 West 5th St.

Those wishing to submit photographs must make an appointment to bring them to the library May 7 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Validated parking is $5.50, $2.20 for seniors and students with identification.

For information about volunteering, phone (213) 228-7403. To make an appointment to show photographs, phone (213) 228-7416.

DATES

* Men and women of all faiths working in the fields of law and justice will gather at 5:30 p.m. Thursday for the annual Law Day “Red Mass,” to be celebrated by Cardinal Roger M. Mahony at Immaculate Conception Church in Los Angeles. A reception will follow at the neighboring Loyola Law School. The name Red Mass is derived from the color of the vestments worn by the celebrants, symbolizing the tongues of fire indicating the presence of the Holy Spirit. In medieval times, when the Mass originated, the robes of the attending royal judges were bright scarlet. In the United States, the tradition was inaugurated in New York City in 1928. In Los Angeles, the Mass is celebrated on the Thursday nearest May 1, which is Law Day. Immaculate Conception Church is located at 1433 West 9th St. (213) 736-1045 or (310) 316-0817.

* “The Fire This Time,” a documentary portrait of the 1992 Los Angeles Riots by filmmaker Randy Holland, will be shown at 4 p.m. Sunday at Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. The film’s director and a panel of clergy will lead a discussion after the screening. Sponsored by the Partnership of St. Paul’s, Bethesda and Brentwood Presbyterian Churches. Admission is free. 12000 San Vicente Blvd. (310) 826-5656.

* A special set of classes and programs for the Iranian Jewish community begins at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the University of Judaism. Offerings include “Hebrew Made Easy,” “Relationships: Jewish Wisdom and the Ethics of Romance” and “Judaism: Enhancing the Role of Women.” Social hours with music and refreshments follow the classes. (310) 476-9777, Ext. 246.

* Hope Lutheran Church in Hollywood celebrates on Sunday the 50th anniversary of the liberation of its “adopted” member, Ebi Gabor, from a Nazi concentration camp. A special ceremony will be held during 10:30 a.m. services. 6720 Melrose Ave. (213) 938-9135.

* Seeking to expand its horizons, the Chicago-based Orthodox Christian Laity--an independently organized movement of Orthodox Christian laity and clergy involved with Orthodox Renewal in America--will hold its quarterly board meeting at the Golden Sails Hotel in Long Beach next weekend. It is the first West Coast meeting for the 8-year-old organization. The group is sponsoring a free forum and breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 6. Lay leader Andrew T. Kopan, a professor at DePaul University in Chicago, will speak on “Orthodox Unity in America: Problems and Prospects.” The morning session will include a question and answer session with board members. Reservations are recommended. (310) 670-0647.

* The Center for Spiritual Development in Orange offers a pre-Mother’s Day “Tired Mothers Overnight Retreat” from 7:30 p.m. May 12, to 7:30 p.m. May 13, and “Men and Midlife: An Invitation to Rediscover the Sacred” from 7:30 p.m. May 19, to 3:30 p.m. May 21. (714) 744-3175.

HONORS

* The Rev. Msgr. Peter Leskiw recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church. During a half-century as a priest, he was named a papal chamberlain by Pope John XXIII, was elevated to the rank of domestic prelate by Pope Paul VI and in 1992 was bestowed the title of mitred archpriest by Myroslav Cardinal Lubachiawsky and installed by Bishop Innocent Lotocky .

* The Muslim Public Affairs Council Media Award was presented to Hakeem Olajuwon, the NBA all-star of the Houston Rockets, on March 25 for portraying a positive image of Islam to the media. Previous recipients include: actor Morgan Freeman, producer Spike Lee and director Peter Sellars.

Southern California File welcomes submissions by fax to (213) 237-4712 or by mail c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. Items must be brief and arrive at least three weeks in advance of the event announced. Please include a phone number, date, time and full address.