The Environment Is Focus of Valley Jewish Festival

The Valley Jewish Festival, now in its ninth year and billed as the largest Jewish community event west of Chicago, will be held Sunday at Cal State Northridge.

This year’s theme, “A Tapestry of Jewish Life,” calls for social action to protect the environment.

The event includes all-day entertainment on two stages, a children’s park, and pavilions for teenagers and singles.

More than 200 synagogues, Jewish agencies and nonprofit groups will participate, and there will be more than 50 food vendors. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the university’s Sierra Quad, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Free. Parking $10. 818-464-3215.

EVENTS

“Circumcision, the Wound and the Healing” will be the subject of a daylong retreat from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Hollywood Birth Center, 1445 Gardner St. (near Sunset Boulevard). Speakers include Paul Fleiss, a pediatrician and author on the circumcision issue; Steve Scott of an anti-circumcision group, the National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers; and Gary Harriman, chairman of the National Organization for the Restoration of Men. $80 singles, $150 couples. (323) 436-7425.

* “On the Wings of Angels,” an exhibit depicting the role of religious organizations in delivering human services in Los Angeles from 1850 to 1900, runs through Aug. 8 at the Von der Ahe Library at Loyola Marymount University, 7900 Loyola Blvd., Los Angeles. Free. Call for library hours. (310) 338-2788.

* A play about the life of the Apostle Paul, “All Things to All Men,” will be presented by Robert Macklin at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Congregational Church of Chatsworth, 20440 Lassen St., Chatsworth. Free. (818) 349-2550.

* Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of “Jewish Literacy,” will speak at 7 p.m. Sunday at Temple Israel, 3538 E. 3rd St., Long Beach. Free. (562) 434-0996.

* “Pariahs Among Ayatollahs,” a historical survey of the Jewish community in Iran, will be the subject of a seminar by Ken Blady from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the University of Judaism, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel-Air. $36. A second seminar about the Jewish underground life in Libya will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Single seminar, $36. Both seminars, $60. No phone on weekend.

* Rabbi Harold Schulweis of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino will be the featured speaker at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the “Conversations” series on Judaism at the University of Judaism, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel-Air. $10. (310) 440-1246.

PEOPLE

The Rt. Rev. Edward MacKenzie, a retired Anglican bishop from the Archdiocese of Capetown, South Africa, has been appointed bishop-in-residence at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Glendale.

MUSIC

French concert artist Jean Guillou will present the season’s closing organ recital with his improvisational work “Alice in Organ Land” at 4 p.m. Sunday at First Congregational Church, 540 S. Commonwealth Ave., Los Angeles. $11 adults, $7 seniors and students. (213) 385-1345.

* Mezzo-soprano Cheryl Anne Roach and pianist Patricia West Harpole will perform the works of Hugo Wolfe, Aaron Copland, John Carter, Charles Ives and others at 3 p.m. June 9 at Riviera United Methodist Church, 375 Palos Verdes Blvd., Redondo Beach. Donation. (310) 378-9273.

* Composer and song leader Nick Page, artistic director of the 200-voice Mystic Chorale in Boston, will be the featured artist at the Music Appreciation Service at 11 a.m. Sunday at First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles, 2936 West 8th St. Free. (213) 389-1356.

* A “Mozart and More Concert” by a 100-voice choir and orchestra and conducted by John Sutton with accompanist Ty Woodward will be presented at 4 p.m. Sunday at Lake Avenue Church, 393 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena. Freewill offering. (626) 844-4721.

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