Sessions at UCLA Hillel Will Explore Jewish Mysticism
Ever since people like Madonna and Roseanne confessed to their fascination with Jewish mysticism, studying cabala has become hip. To make sense of the growing interest and address the role of Jewish mysticism in everyday life, UCLA Extension and UCLA Hillel are presenting a four-session series called “Kabbalah Goes Mainstream: The Current Jewish Fascination With Jewish Mysticism.” The program will meet on Wednesday nights at UCLA Hillel, beginning Feb. 23 and concluding March 29. Opening the program will be one of the world’s foremost authorities on cabala, Moshe Idel of Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Contemporary topics such as healing and cabala will be addressed in the program by scholars and rabbis from the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform branches.
Fees for the entire series are $50 for non-credit participants or $150 for one credit in Jewish studies. Single-admission fees are $18 at the door for adults and $15 for senior citizens. For more information, call UCLA Extension at (310) 825-9971. UCLA Hillel is at 900 Hilgard Ave. in Westwood.
REUNION
Retired Christian Nisei pastors and their wives will share their memories of World War II on Wednesday at their fourth annual reunion at the Japanese American National Museum. The Retired Nisei Pastors Committee of the Nikkei Ministerial Assn. is developing a historical preservation project that will chronicle the pastors’ experiences. Retired clergy will tell of evacuation and relocation during the war, serving in internment camps and reestablishing churches and congregations afterward. Admission to the reunion is $15 and includes a tour of the museum and bento lunch. The gathering will begin at 10 a.m. For more information, call the committee chairman, Pastor Paul Nakamura of Oriental Lutheran Church, at (310) 329-9345.
10 COMMANDMENTS HIKE
More than 400 Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts will trek through the San Gabriel Valley today on a Ten Commandments hike. Starting at 8 a.m., Scouts and troop leaders are expected to visit 10 area churches of different denominations and hear a presentation on a different commandment at each stop. The six-mile hike will begin at Hope Fellowship, where the Rev. Jeff Bassette will speak on the First Commandment. Subsequent stops include St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, a Salvation Army church and the San Gabriel Mission. Explanations of commandments will be given by members of the Muslim, Jewish and Mormon faiths. Scouts who finish the course will be given Ten Commandments hike badges.
EVENTS
The consul general of Israel, Yuval Rotem, will speak Friday at Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood. Rotem will comment on the Mideast peace process and recent anti-gay remarks made in Israel on World AIDS Day. Erev Shabbat services will begin at 8 p.m. The temple is at 7350 Sunset Blvd. For more information, call (310) 248-6320.
* Paul Maier, an authority on ancient history and archeology, will conduct a seminar today on “New Evidence for the Christian Faith” at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica. Maier’s late father, Walter Maier, was founding speaker of the Lutheran Hour radio broadcast. Cost of the seminar is $20 per person and includes continental breakfast and light lunch. Maier will also be guest speaker at Pilgrim Lutheran on Sunday at both 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. Pilgrim Lutheran is at 1730 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. (310) 829-4113.
RACE and RELIGION
“Building Bridges to Racial Understanding” will be the theme of Sunday’s sermon at Knox Presbyterian Church. The Rev. James Lawson of Holman United Methodist Church will address the congregation at 10:30 a.m. worship and will lead a luncheon workshop at noon. Baby-sitting will be provided. Knox Presbyterian is at 5840 La Tijera Blvd. (323) 292-0654.
* More than 100 Christian and Jewish seminarians will gather in Malibu for Intersem, a two-day retreat to discuss racial and ethnic stereotypes and ways to help clergy and lay people fight racism. On Sunday and Monday, students from five area seminaries will focus on religious differences, homosexuality, social justice, women in ministry, proselytizing and other issues. The retreat will be held at Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s Grindling Hilltop Camp in Malibu. The event is sponsored by the National Conference for Community and Justice. For information, call (213) 250-8787.
MUSIC
At the Sunday gospel brunch at Hollywood Park Pavilion at 1 p.m., the Rev. T.J. Mosley and singers Steamroller Rene, Kim Foley and David Mays will perform gospel music and spirituals. Hollywood Park Pavilion is at 3883 West Century Blvd. in Inglewood. For details on performances, call (310) 412-9559.
* Glendale Presbyterian Church will host Ballet Magnificat on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.. In 1986, Kathy Thibodeaux founded the ballet troupe to pursue dance as a ministry. The company now performs across the U.S. and Canada and has a school of arts in Jackson, Miss. Glendale Presbyterian is at 125 South Louise St. in Glendale.
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