CROP WALK: The San Fernando Valley Interfaith...

CROP WALK: The San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council hopes this year’s local CROP Walk, set for Nov. 24, will raise $20,000 for hunger-fighting agencies here and abroad. Last year, 300 Valley walkers raised $17,000, of which 75% was given to groups such as Church World Service, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and Catholic Relief Services to combat hunger abroad. The remaining 25% went to the Interfaith Council’s Food Pantry Coalition and Meals on Wheels, which assist hungry people throughout the Valley. So far, 600 walker registration forms have been distributed.

In 1947, Church World Service began collecting grain donations from Midwest farmers. In 1969, the walk was started to help relieve hunger here and abroad. Last year, $15 million was raised from 2,000 walks nationwide, said Emily Abbott, regional director of Church World Service/CROP, which stands for Communities Reaching Out to People.

For walker or sponsor information, call Richard Watson at (818) 349-6687 or Arlene Landon at (818) 718-6460, Ext. 3002.

HONORING VETERANS: A special Veterans Day service co-hosted by VFW Post 6213 of Sylmar will be held Sunday at Church of the Foothills, formerly Lutheran Church of the Master. The Rev. Samuel Platts will honor those who died for their country. There will also be a gun salute by the All Veterans Burial Squad. The church is located at 13425 Glenoaks Blvd., Sylmar. In addition, a bell that was stolen last month from the church and recently returned will be rededicated in an outdoor ceremony following the service. (818) 362-7700.

JEWISH, ARAB BENEFIT: A major fund-raiser for the village of Neve Shalom/Wahat Al-Salam--Israel’s “Oasis of Peace,” where Jews and Palestinians choose to live and work together--is planned for Nov. 17 at the Skirball Cultural Center and Museum in the Sepulveda Pass. More than 20,000 people have attended workshops at the village’s School of Peace, where Jewish and Arab adults and teens address difficult issues that cause misunderstanding, fear and hatred among them. Children attend a bilingual, bicultural school. The evening will feature dinner, dialogue, a presentation about the village, music and a talk by law professor Peter Robinson of Pepperdine University. The event is sponsored by the Southern California chapter of the American Friends of Neve Shalom/Wahat Al-Salam. General admission is $50 per person, although special tickets are available for $250, $500 or $1,000. Reservations: (213) 228-1314.

SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE: Rabbi Joseph Telushkin of the Synagogue for the Performing Arts will be discussing “Jewish Wisdom: Judaism and the Quest for Meaning” during a scholar-in-residence weekend Nov. 15-17 at Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills. A Shabbat dinner is planned for 6:30 p.m. Friday, followed by services at 8:15 p.m. On Nov. 16, services will begin at 9:15 a.m., with a Shabbat luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Telushkin will present his concluding remarks at 10 a.m. Nov. 17. Cost for both meals is $36 per person or $22 for adults and $17 for children for the dinner. Cost for the luncheon is $18 per person. Reservations: (818) 346-3545.

PLAY OPENS: The comedic play “Critic’s Choice” by Ira Levin will open tonight at Temple Beth Torah in Granada Hills. The program is being presented jointly by the synagogue and the Episcopal Church of St. Andrews and St. Charles. Performances, all starting at 7 p.m., are scheduled for tonight and Sunday, in addition to Nov. 16, 17, 23 and 24. Tickets are $12.50. (818) 831-0835.

“GENESIS” CLASS: Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs of Kol Tikvah will conduct a 10-part class beginning Thursday based on Bill Moyers’ PBS series “Genesis.” All classes meet from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the synagogue sanctuary at 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. Admission is free to temple members or $5 per session for nonmembers. Reservations: (818) 348-0670.

TIME TO PRAY: The Holy Spirit Retreat is offering quiet prayer and meditation Saturday mornings through Dec. 14. The weekly gathering is held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the interfaith facility located at 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. A freewill offering will be taken. (818) 784-4515.

MEDICAL ETHICS: Jewish views regarding the use of sperm and egg donors and surrogates will be discussed by Dr. Michael Feinman, director of the Pacific Fertility Medical Clinic, at 10 a.m. Sunday at Temple Beth Haverim, 5126 Clareton Drive, Suite 140, Agoura Hills. Feinman will address “Jewish Medical Ethics and Third-Party Parenting” following a 9 a.m. minyan and bagel brunch. Suggested donation is $5. (818) 991-7111.

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