WELCOMING: The congregation of Adat Ari El...

WELCOMING: The congregation of Adat Ari El will welcome its new associate rabbi, Jonathan Jaffe Bernhard, at its annual barbecue Aug. 9. Dinner will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Shabbat service under the stars at 8 p.m. in the synagogue’s outdoor chapel, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Cost is $15 for adults, $7 for children ages 3 to 10 and free for children under 3. Reservations are due by Friday. (818) 766-9426.

SEASONS OF MARRIAGE: Jack Balswick, professor of sociology and family development at Fuller Theological Seminary, will speak on “Surviving the Seasons of Marriage” at 7 p.m. July 27 at the Chinese Christian Alliance Church, 18827 Roscoe Blvd, Northridge. Baby-sitting and a children’s program, for those in kindergarten through fourth grade, will be provided. Admission is free. (818) 718-2282.

POPS CONCERT: The Glendale Seventh-day Adventist Church Pops Chorale will present its Sixth Annual Summer Pops Concert at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. The program will feature selections from such musicals as “Oklahoma!” and “Paint Your Wagon,” in addition to humorous sketches. The concert will be held in the church’s Fellowship Hall at 610 E. California Ave. Tickets are $5 per person, which includes a light buffet. (818) 244-7241.

FAMILY ROOTS: In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Mormons in California, a community open house will be held July 27 at the Family History Library at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Library volunteers will explain to visitors how they can research their family history. Among the library’s holdings is an international genealogical index listing 240 million names, the U.S. Social Security Death Index and the U.S. Military Index listing those killed in the Korean and Vietnam wars. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1130 E. Wilson Ave., Glendale. (818) 243-9993.

SPIRITUAL HEALING: An interfaith panel will address the topic “What My Faith Tradition Tells Me About Spiritual Healing in the New Age” at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Congregational Church of Chatsworth, 20400 Lassen Ave. Featured panelists include: Marsha Smith-Shaw, a priestess representing the Wicca tradition; Amanda Foulger of Topanga Canyon, described as a practicing shaman; David Diez, a deacon at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley; and Harry Essrig, rabbi emeritus of Temple Solael in West Hills. The Rev. Jeff Utter, pastor of the host church, will moderate the event sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council’s Interfaith Relations Committee. Admission is free. (818) 718-6460.

BASICS OF JUDAISM: An 18-week “Introduction to Judaism” course will begin Monday at Temple Ahavat Shalom, a Reform congregation, at 18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge. The class, sponsored by the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, will cover Jewish rituals, holidays and practices. Class will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays. Cost is $275 for singles and couples, or $175 if the participant is a member of a UAHC-affiliated synagogue. For more information, call the temple at (818) 360-2258 or UAHC at (213) 653-9962.

SECRET SOCIETIES, METAPHYSICS: Two special programs are planned next week at the Namaste Interfaith Center. The ancient secret societies of Rosecrucians and Masons will be explored at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and a program on “The Metaphysics of America and the Astrological Forecast for the United States” will be given at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The center is at 12447 Magnolia Blvd., Valley Village. Admission is $10 per person for each program. (818) 763-3330.