Birthday Party for Jerusalem

The West Valley Jewish Community Center will celebrate the 3,000th anniversary of the city of David today.

Joining religious organizations around the world in celebration this year, the center will commemorate the founding of Jerusalem by King David centuries ago.

“How often do we reach the age of 3,000?” asked Madelon Cohen, a center staffer. Jerusalem leaders, she said, “thought it would be a good way to bring something nice into the holy city.”

In addition to sales and exhibits of artwork, the daylong celebration will include “My Jewish Discovery Place,” a traveling exhibit that allows children to try on different personas with costumes, props and other hands-on activities.

A presentation of the rock opera “The Seventh Son,” which tells the love story of David and Bathsheba, will begin at 2 p.m.

An admission fee is required for the show: $10 general in advance and $12 at the door; $6 for children 12 and younger.

Sponsor tickets cost $25 and include reserved seating, a wine and cheese reception and meetings with the cast and authors Jon Buxer and Chris Weatherhead.

Cohen said a highlight of the event will be the Jerusalem Wall, a replica of the Western Wall in Jerusalem, where people of all religions can place prayers.

For $1, attendees may put their own prayers on the wall here, which will be sent to Jerusalem to be placed in the original.

Today’s celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information, call (818) 587-3300.