JEWISH THEOLOGY: Rabbi Harold Schulweis of Encino’s...

JEWISH THEOLOGY: Rabbi Harold Schulweis of Encino’s Valley Beth Shalom will begin an eight-lecture class on modern Jewish philosophers Thursday night at the University of Judaism.

Schulweis, senior editor of Shl’ma magazine and author of “For Those Who Can’t Believe,” will cover the work of thinkers Martin Buber, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Joseph Soloveitchik and Mordecai Kaplan.

Designed by the university’s continuing education department as a class especially for rabbis, educators, graduate students and community specialists, the course nevertheless is open to anyone, a spokesman said. The campus is at 15600 Mulholland Drive east of the San Diego Freeway.

The cost is $149 for the course, which will begin at 8:15 each night from Thursday to Dec. 21 (no class on Nov. 23). Registration: (310) 476-9777, Ext. 246.

RACISM DISCUSSION: The Rev. Robert Stevenson, who teaches African American studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, will talk on “The Rise of Racism” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to start an adult education lecture series at Granada Hills First Presbyterian Church, 10400 Zelzah Ave.

UCLA campus chaplain Scott Young, co-convener of the City of Angels Film Festival backed by Fuller Seminary, will speak on ethics and entertainment Nov. 1. Environmental and educational issues are scheduled for the following Wednesday nights. Free. Information: (818) 360-1831.

CHURCH COMEDIES: Two comedy productions--”The Complete History of the Old Testament in Twenty Minutes” and “Womantalk: Conversations in the Laundromat”--will be performed by the Prince of Peace Episcopal Players at the 9 a.m. service Sunday at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 9440 Balboa Blvd., Northridge. Information: (818) 886-1324.

PRAYER MEETING: As part of a nationwide campaign called “Concert of Prayer,” leaders of the Chatsworth Foursquare Church, 10210 Canoga Ave., will hold a two-hour service of preaching, worship and music today, starting at 7 p.m. Information: (805) 522-7283.

News and announcements for this column may be mailed to Religion Desk, L.A. Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311 or faxed to (818) 772-3338.