Congregation Marks 80th Anniversary

Congregation Mishkon Tephilo will mark its 80th anniversary and 50th year in its historic synagogue building on Main Street in Venice with a recital by violinist Joseph Gold and pianist Daniel Glover. Gold has accompanied singer Luciano Pavarotti and Glover has appeared with the New York Philharmonic. In a performance titled “Paganini, His Friends and Competitors,” they will play works by Paganini, Locatelli, Spohr and others on Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. at 206 Main St., Venice. Tickets prices begin at $25. (310) 392-3029.

* Trinity Episcopal Church in Santa Barbara will present a concert of the music of old Spain, Mexico and early California as part of the city’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta. La Musica Antigua de Espana will be presented today at 3 p.m. in the church sanctuary, 1500 State St. Free. Call (805) 965-7419.

PHOTOGRAPHY

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and Christie’s Los Angeles are seeking entries for a juried amateur photographic exhibit to be displayed at Christie’s in December. Titled “Images in Israel,” the show is the culmination of the yearlong celebration, “Israel at 50,” and will feature an invitation-only professional division as well as the juried amateur division. Photographs will be accepted in the categories of spirituality, landscape, people in Israel and architecture. Any amateur photographer who has visited Israel and lives in the Los Angeles area may submit slides. The deadline is Sept. 1. Call (323) 761-8120.

SEMINAR

Psychologist Jonathan Young, archivist for Joseph Campbell, will discuss “The Magic of Mythic Stories,” at the Emerson Unitarian Church, 7304 Jordan Ave., Canoga Park on Sunday from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Young takes insight from mythology and folklore and illustrates how participants may use familiar stories to find inner strength during times of crisis. Cost is $12. Call (818) 887-6101.

EVENTS

Two grand ballrooms aboard the Queen Mary will be turned over to Christian singles Aug. 15 for the sixth annual Queen Mary Dinner-Dance and Seminar sponsored by Spectacular Events. The day begins with a seminar by H. Norman Wright, author of “Finding Your Perfect Mate,” on the topic, “What Men Really Want,” from 1 to 4 p.m.

Men will change tables for each course of the meal, which starts at 6. (Those with dates can be seated at a non-rotational table.) Dancing begins at 8 p.m. with two Christian deejays playing top 40s music in the Grand Salon and country and western in the Windsor Salon. About 1,000 participants are expected. Advance tickets are recommended. Special room rates on the Queen Mary are also available. Call (714) 778-0244 or toll-free, (888) 222-8818.

BROADCAST

The Odyssey Channel, an interfaith channel available on satellite and in many local cable markets, will present a new television series titled “Landmarks of Faith: A Chronicle of America’s Diverse Religious Heritage.” Described as a “spiritual travelogue,” the series explores the many faiths found in America through profiles of the locations where many have taken root and grown. “Christ Church--Philadelphia,” airing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, traces the origins of the Episcopal Church in the United States.

GRANTS

A $25,000 grant will enable the Serra Project’s Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers Coalition to develop a volunteer program to serve the needs of more than 225 people affected by HIV and AIDS. The “Faith in Action” grant was awarded to the Serra Ancillary Care Corp. by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Princeton, N.J. The program will recruit and train volunteers who will assist residents of the Serra Project’s housing programs with transportation, financial management, tutoring, child care and light housework. The Serra Project provides housing for people with HIV and AIDS in Southern California.

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The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles has announced $500,000 in grant allocations to provide scholarships to families and grants to Jewish day and supplementary schools. The grants are part of a million-dollar increase, doubling the federation’s direct support for Jewish schools in 1998. They were announced by Gil Graff, executive director of the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Los Angeles, a beneficiary agency of the Federation’s United Jewish Fund.

YOUTH

The Claremont School of Theology is accepting entries for its “This Little Light of Mine” Future Ministers Competition to demonstrate the preaching talents of the next generation. This year’s sermon title is “In God We Trust.” Entrants in three age groups, 5-7, 8-12 and 13-17, must answer the question of why it is important to trust in God by giving one or two examples of how they relied on their faith to cope with a situation. Sermons should be submitted in writing and on audiotape. All entries must be received by Sept. 15. For an entry form and official rules, call (909) 626-3521, Ext. 280.

PEOPLE

Rabbi Ned J. Soltz of Temple Beth Tikvah in Fullerton has been named president of the Orange County Board of Rabbis for the next year. The board represents all four branches of Judaism and serves as a forum for the study and discussion of areas of mutual concern for the Orange County and global Jewish communities. Soltz, who has served as Rabbi of Temple Beth Tikvah since 1996, has set expanding and enhancing the board’s chaplaincy program as one of his goals.

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Several members of the youth group the Edge, from All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills, recently returned from a two week pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Trip leader John Goldsmith described the trip as “transformational.” To keep parish members back home informed of their activities, the students created their own Internet Web page complete with journal entries, personal profiles and photos of the Holy Land. The six students and two adults followed the chronology of Jesus’ life with trips to Nazareth, Bethlehem and elsewhere. To see their travels go to https://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Bluffs/9836/jmain.html

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Notices may be sent by mail to Southern California File, c/o Nona Yates, L.A. Times, Third Floor, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053, or by fax to Religion Editor, (213) 237-4712. Items should arrive at least three weeks in advance of event and should include address, phone number, date and time.