HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE: Holocaust survivor Ebi Gabor will...

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE: Holocaust survivor Ebi Gabor will be the guest speaker at a Holocaust memorial service Sunday at Church of the Foothills in Sylmar. Gabor is the author of the 1987 book “The Blood Tattoo,” which chronicles her experiences in several concentration camps and liberation by U.S. Army forces. The church’s pastor, the Rev. Samuel Platts, is a founding pastor of the Committee of Concerned Christians, which has distributed 500,000 free copies of “The Diary of Anne Frank” to schools. The service will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the church, located at 13425 Glenoaks Blvd. (818) 362-7700.

HEALING MASS: A special healing Mass will be celebrated by Father Robert DeGrandis at 7 p.m. Monday at Incarnation Church, 1101 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Ordained in 1959, DeGrandis is a member of the Society of St. Joseph and has written more than 25 books and traveled to more than 30 countries. (818) 242-2579.

ON THE ENVIRONMENT: State Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Los Angeles) will discuss his new book, “The Lost Gospel of the Earth--A Call for Renewing Nature, Spirit and Politics,” as part of an Environmental Ministries program Sunday. Beginning at 2:30 p.m., there will be discussion about how religious organizations can plan an Earth Sabbath worship in the coming year, followed by Hayden’s talk at 5 p.m. at Reseda First United Methodist Church, 18120 Saticoy St. Registration begins at 2 p.m. and a $5 donation per person is requested. (818) 344-7870.

JEWISH IDENTITY: “Creating Jewish Identity for and With Our Children” will be discussed by Arlene Chernow, regional director of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, on Sunday morning in West Hills. All members of the Jewish community are welcome to attend, with a special invitation extended to interfaith families. The program will be held from 10:15 to noon at Temple Solael, 6601 Valley Circle Blvd. Admission is free. Reservations: (818) 348-3885.

SPIRITUALITY: An opportunity for women to deepen their spirituality through prayer, reflection on life experiences and ritual is provided at the monthly “Women at the Well” gatherings at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino. Participants may attend this month’s program either from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday or 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday. Cost is $6 per session, plus $15 for Joyce Rupp’s book, “Dear Heart, Come Home,” which is used as study material. On Wednesday, an Introduction to Meditation and Quiet Prayer will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Cost is $10 per person. The interfaith facility is located at 4316 Lanai Road. (818) 784-4515.

YOUTH PROGRAM: The Etta Israel Center, which serves Jewish youth with disabilities, will join with Congregation Shaarey Zedek of North Hollywood for its annual “Shabboton of Inspiration” Nov. 22 and 23. Students of the center will be fully participating in the prayer services and other religious activities at the Orthodox temple. Rabbi Noach Orlowek from Jerusalem will also speak. Participants will stay Friday night at the homes of local host families. Cost is $35 per person, including meals. Registration: (213) 852-3222.

CHRISTIAN CONCERT: Contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Tom Laskey will be in concert at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 23828 Kittridge St., West Hills. Laskey recently released a solo recording titled “Fingerprints of Grace.” Admission is free. However, a freewill offering will be taken. (818) 348-8343.

LIFE’S QUESTIONS: Rabbi Edward Feinstein will explore “Jewish Answers to Life’s Tough Questions” in a four-week class beginning Thursday offered through the University of Judaism’s continuing education department. Topics will include prayer, responding to tragedy and finding meaning and fulfillment in contemporary life. Classes will be held from 8:15 to 9:45 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 19, excluding Nov. 28, at 15600 Mulholland Drive in the Sepulveda Pass. Cost is $75 per person. Registration: (310) 476-9777.

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: A concert by the New Covenant Singers--featuring the rhythms of gospel, pop and jazz--is planned for 7 p.m. Sunday at Bel-Air Presbyterian Church, 16221 Mulholland Drive in the Sepulveda Pass. Admission is free and a reception follows. (818) 788-4200.

THANKSGIVING SHABBAT: Kol Tikvah will host a Thanksgiving Shabbat service Friday including musical performances and an appearance by Pastor Stephen Hamilton of El Bethel Apostolic Church. The service will begin at 8 p.m. at 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 348-0670.

AWARDS DINNER: Actor Ed Begley Jr. will be honored at the second annual Namaste Awards Dinner, sponsored by the Namaste Interfaith Center in Valley Village. The event next Saturday will begin at 8 p.m. at the Pickwick Entertainment Center, 921 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Cost is $75 per person. Reservations: (818) 763-3330.

SINGLES EVENT: Shabbat Singles Circle, for people in their 40s and 50s, will sponsor a Shabbat celebration at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Temple Judea, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. Cost is $20 per person and reservations must be paid by Monday. (818) 758-3800.

CHRISTIAN COALITION: Sara DiVito Hardman of Tarzana, state chairman of the Christian Coalition, will address the Glendale/Burbank chapter of the Christian Coalition at 7 p.m. Monday at Glendale Presbyterian Church, 125 S. Louise St. (818) 585-2289.

BUS TOUR: The University of Judaism will sponsor a bus tour Sunday to an Islamic mosque and a Buddhist temple that will include guided walking tours and a discussion of the similarities and differences between Judaism and these religions. The tour will leave campus at noon and travel to Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, then to Omar Al Khattab Mosque near USC. Cost is $35 for adults and $25 for youths ages 12 to 17. The University of Judaism is located in the Sepulveda Pass at 15600 Mulholland Drive. (818) 994-0213.

NEW MEMBERS HONORED: Beth Knesset Bamidbar will honor 15 new families that have recently joined the temple at a special service Friday night. The Reform congregation, established in 1951, now counts 158 families as members. It is located at 1611 E. Ave. J, Lancaster. (805) 942-4415.

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