Jewish Scholars to Hold Four-Day Convention on Torah

Jewish scholars from across the country will gather in Los Angeles next week for the Orthodox Union’s 10th annual West Coast Torah Convention. The theme is “The Torah: The Ethical Imperative.” Rabbi Shlomo Riskin will be the keynote speaker at Shaarei Tefila Congregation on Thursday, opening day of the convention. Riskin was founding rabbi of the Lincoln Square Synagogue in Manhattan. In 1993, he left New York and pioneered settlement of Erfat in Israel’s West Bank, which now has more than 8,000 inhabitants. Admission to all sessions of the four-day convention is $18 per person. The convention sponsors a kosher food expo where new foods are displayed for tasting. For a full schedule of events, call the Orthodox Union at (310) 229-9000, ext. 3.

EVENTS

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The Jewish Federation’s Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust is hosting two exhibits focusing on artistic interpretation of the Jewish genocide in Eastern Europe. “Recollection: Lost Wooden Synagogues of Poland and Russia,” is an 80-foot-long frieze depicting synagogues destroyed during World War II. Artist Susan Cooper, a Los Angeles native now living in Colorado, created the sculpture as a tribute to her aunt who was killed, along with her husband and four children, in the Holocaust. The second exhibit, “Every Man a Number: Children’s Art From the Czech Republic,” will display 26 pieces of contemporary children’s art done after a visit to a concentration camp. The exhibit is part of an educational project funded by the Greenfield Foundation with the Czech Republic. Both exhibits will run through Jan. 18. The museum is at 6006 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles and is open Sunday through Friday. (323) 761-8170.

* The First Christian Church of Burbank and the First Christian Church of North Hollywood will co-sponsor a retreat today titled “Walking the Labyrinth--an Advent Journey.” Workshop leader Gary Krueger will use a canvas labyrinth to challenge participants to walk a different path in pursuit of a deeper relationship with God. The retreat will take place at First Christian Church of Burbank at 220 S. 6th St. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. and end with closing worship at 3 p.m. The cost is $25, including lunch. (818) 845-7459.

HOLIDAY MUSIC

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Westwood Presbyterian Church will celebrate the season with two holiday presentations. On Sunday, with a 50-voice choir, double brass ensemble and organ, John Rutter will conduct “Gloria” at 9 and 11 a.m. On Friday, actors David Birney and David Selby will headline the sixth annual “A Christmas Pudding.” The drama is a literary and musical tapestry with the words of Charles Dickens, Truman Capote, Mark Twain and St. Luke. Tickets are $15 at the door. All proceeds will benefit People Assisting the Homeless. Westwood Presbyterian Church is at 10822 Wilshire Blvd. (310) 474-4535.

* Concert pianist Marrina Waks and the Children of the World Choir will perform Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Wilshire United Methodist Church. Waks founded the choir in an effort to promote humanity and give voice to millions of children who are not heard. The children come from countries including Morocco, Bosnia, Croatia, France, Iraq, India and Afghanistan. Their songs range in style from country, pop and ballads to hip-hop and rap. Wilshire United Methodist Church is at 4350 Wilshire Blvd. (323) 655-8587.

* Bethany Lutheran Church will present its annual Christmas Candlelight Concert on Sunday, with performances at 4 and 7 p.m. Minister of Music Carol McDaniel will direct a variety of anthems and music performed by adults, children and handbell choirs. A brass ensemble, strings and percussion will assist throughout the service. Admission is free, but a free-will offering will be collected. Bethany Lutheran is at 4644 Clark Ave. in Long Beach. (562) 421-4711.

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