Mural Illustrates Jewish History; Black History Month Begins

Black history, Jewish history and questions of cloning and faith share the spotlight in upcoming events across the Southland.

Artist Larry Rivers will present a lecture this afternoon at the Skirball Cultural Center on the creation of his mural “History of the Matzah: The Story of the Jews.” The massive piece, consisting of three canvas murals measuring 10 feet by 42 feet, illustrates the almost 4,000-year history of the Jewish people. At noon, Rivers will discuss the symbols present in the work. “History of the Matzah: The Story of the Jews” officially opens Wednesday and will be on display through May 30. Tickets for the lecture are $12 for the general public, $6 for Skirball members and students. The Skirball Center is at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. For information, call (310) 440-4500.

California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks kicks off Black History Month with a weeklong celebration that includes a soul food potluck, a display in the Pearson Library celebrating noted African Americans, and several other festivities arranged by the African American Student Union. California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. For details on events, call (805) 493-3951.

CLONING

Also at California Lutheran University, religion professor A. Joseph Everson will moderate a discussion in the Colloquium of Scholars series: “Human Cloning: Ethical Questions.” Biology professors Andrea Huvard and Dennis Revie and philosophy professor Nathan Tierney will participate in the forum scheduled for 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Nelson Room.

MUSIC

Vox Femina Los Angeles, a 28-member women’s choral ensemble, will perform “Love in the Afternoon” at the Claremont School of Theology’s Kresge Chapel at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. The performance is dedicated to the memory of Lois Seifert, who was a leader in Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Suggested ticket price is $10, seniors $5. The school is at 1325 N. College Ave., Claremont. For concert information, call (909) 626-3521.

* Pianist Michael Sellers will play at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church on Wednesday from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. as part of the church’s Music at Noon series. The free weekly concerts are offered every Wednesday in the church sanctuary. Pasadena Presbyterian Church is at 54 N. Oakland Ave. in downtown Pasadena. For concert information, call the 24-hour music information line at (626) 568-2608.

EVENTS

Father Peter Gilquist will address the topic: “If God Doesn’t Change, How Come There Are Over 20,000 Denominations in America?” at 10 a.m. Sunday at St. John the Theologian Orthodox Church. The church is at 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. For details, call (949) 459-2299.

* Christoph Meili, the Swiss Bank guard who saved Holocaust bank records from being shredded, will speak at Sinai Temple’s Newsmaker Forum Series at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. President Clinton granted the Meili family political asylum in the United States after they fled Switzerland. Sinai Temple is at 10400 Wilshire Blvd. For reservations, call Dorothy Salkin at (310) 474-1518, Ext. 3255.

PEOPLE

The Rev. George Regas, retired rector of All Saints Episcopal Church, will receive the 1999 Lazarus Project Award, the West Hollywood Presbyterian Church announced. The Lazarus Project is a ministry between the church and lesbians and gays providing an opportunity for dialogue on spirituality and sexuality. The award will be presented to Regas at the Lazarus Awards Banquet tonight at 7 at the University Club in Pasadena. For information on the Lazarus Project, contact the Rev. Don Crail, at the Lazarus Project, 7350 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, or call (213) 874-6646.

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Notices may be mailed for consideration to Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or by fax to Southern California File at (213) 237-4712, or by e-mail to religion@latimes.com. Items should arrive two to three weeks before the event and should include pertinent details about the people and organizations with address, phone number, date and time.