Celebrate Israel’s 50th

The Skirball Cultural Center kicked off local celebrations of Israel’s 50th anniversary last week with the opening of three exhibitions on the theme “50 Years of Friendship: America & Israel.” This weekend, film, music and family events continue to salute the Jewish state, which proclaimed its independence on May 14, 1948. Here are some places to get in on the action:

Today

“Imagining Israel: American Visions,” a film series sponsored by the Skirball Cultural Center and the Museum of Television & Radio, begins tonight at 7:30 with “A Woman Called Golda” (1982). This made-for-television movie chronicles the life of Golda Meir from the 1920s through her meeting with Anwar Sadat in Israel a few months before her death in 1977. Ingrid Bergman portrays the former prime minister and received a posthumous Emmy for this, her final performance. Harry Reasoner interviews the real life Meir in a clip from “60 Minutes” to follow. Museum of Television & Radio, 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 786-1000. Free with museum admission: adults, $6; students and seniors, $4; children under 13, $3. (310) 786-1370 for reservations.

Enjoy the musings of Israel’s “first lady of song,” Chava Alberstein. Though she’s not well-known in this country, a dozen of the 50-year-old artist’s more than 40 albums have gone gold, three have gone platinum and one is triple platinum. “Crazy Flower,” a greatest-hits collection released this month by Shanachie, is her first record released in the U.S. Alberstein’s Israeli folk songs will be performed in Hebrew, but her rich voice holds universal appeal. 7:30 p.m. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., $15 to $50. (310) 652-7353, Ext. 223.

Saturday Evening

Woodland Hills’ Temple Aliyah celebrates with the 50-voice Kibbutz Artzi Choir, Israel’s national kibbutz choir. The choir has performed with all of Israel’s major orchestras under such conductors as Zubin Mehta, Lucas Foss and Gary Bernini. Since 1990, Yuval Ben-Ozer has been the choir’s conductor and musical director. Saturday’s program will include combined performances with a choir of synagogues from the West Valley. After the concert, there will be Israeli folk dancing and a dessert reception. 7:30 p.m. 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. $10 to $50. (818) 346-3545.

Sunday

Organizers boast that it will be the biggest celebration of Israeli independence outside of Israel. The Israeli Independence Day Community Festival, sponsored by the Jewish Federation, the Council of Israeli Organizations and the Israeli Consulate, takes over Pan Pacific Park Sunday with live entertainment by Israeli rock sensation Danny Sanderson, the Pini Cohen Band and others; ethnic foods; arts and crafts; a children’s area; and a fashion show. There will also be a heritage pavilion to highlight the cultures of both Ashkenazi (Eastern European) and Sephardic (Northern African and Mediterranean) Jews. The pavilion will have crafts for children, traditional foods, decorations and stage performances from each region. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 3rd Street between Fairfax and La Brea avenues. Free. Parking $5. (213) 761-8120. or (818) 757-0123.

Sunday evening, the stage of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion will resonate with the voices of 750 students comprising 14 choirs from 13 day schools affiliated with the Bureau of Jewish Education. The “zimriyah” song festival begins at 7:30 p.m. with each choir presenting a song connected to the theme of Israel. 135 N. Grand St., downtown. $10. (213) 761-8614.

In Santa Monica, B’nai B’rith salutes Israel’s 50th with “Fraylach!,” a tribute to clarinetist Mickey Katz and the Barry Sisters. Performers will include Shecky Greene, Claire Barry, Dave Barry, Yacov Yavno, Sy Zentner, Rickie Lane and Velvel and the Golden State Klezmers. Proceeds will benefit the Jewish National Fund’s programs, which include afforestation, water conservation, playgrounds and parks, Zionist education and other activities. Tickets begin at $50. Those who have donated to the fund’s tree-planting project in the last six months (the project purchases trees to plant in Israel), can purchase tickets with tree certificates. 7 p.m. Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St., Santa Monica. (213) 964-1400, Ext. 248.