METROPOLITAN NEW YORK
Lectures and Discussions
Jerusalem on the North Shore: Edward Edelstein, director of Jewish life and learning at the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center, discusses “Jews and Jerusalem: Roots of Peace, Seeds of Conflict,” a look at the history of Jerusalem, its connection to the Jewish people and its battle scars. Sid Jacobson JCC, 300 Forest Dr., East Hills; Aug. 5, 10:30 a.m.; $6, members free. (516-484-1545, ext. 166 or www.sjjcc.org)
Music
New Releases: East Village singer Rachael Sage, whose music has been described as mystical folk-pop, celebrates the next day’s release of her fifth album, “Public Record,” joined by her core trio of cellist, drummer and pianist, as well as surprise guests. Also playing is singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andy Stochansky, whose third album, “Five Star Motel,” was recently released. Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St.; Aug. 4, 9 p.m.; $12. (212-539-8770)
Hot Pstromi: Musician and composer Yale Strom plays violin with klezmer band Hot Pstromi and special guest Alicia Svigals, a violinist and composer who founded the Klezmatics and the all-women band Mikveh. Tonic, 107 Norfolk St.; July 27, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.; $10, $15 both sets. (212-358-7501 or www.tonic107.com)
On the Tiles: Singer-songwriter-pianist Steven Jon Kaplan performs after Friday-night Sabbath services. The program includes “Papirossen” (“Cigarettes”), a plaintive turn-of-the-century Jewish tune, songs from “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Show Boat” and a few of Kaplan’s compositions such as “I Long To Go A’Whalin.” Kaplan, who studied piano at the Peabody Preparatory Institute in Baltimore, recently released his debut CD, “Temptation” (Prescription Recording). Temple Beth Ahavath Sholom, 2166 Benson Ave., Brooklyn; Aug. 1, 9 p.m.; free. (718-372-0933)
Performance
Hebrew Mamita: As part of the First Annual Urban Theatre Arts Festival, actress and spoken word artist Vanessa Hidary — aka “the Hebrew Mamita” — performs her one-woman show “Culture Bandit,” directed by Mariana Hellmund. Through monologues, poetry and hip-hop, she explores her sometimes explosive relationships with the diverse cultures of New York City, creating a raw portrait of the city’s race relations. Chashama Theatre, 135 W. 42nd St.; Thu.-Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m., through Aug. 2, festival through Aug. 17; $20 advance, $25 at door, see Web site for festival details. (212-352-3101 or www.theatermania.com)
A Stoop in Time: Inspired by a visit to the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, Jay Kholos’s new musical “A Stoop on Orchard Street” celebrates tenement life on the Lower East Side, circa 1910. The 16-member cast sings 18 songs. Mazer Theatre, 197 East Broadway; Wed.-Thu. and Sat. 2 p.m. Sun. 3 p.m.; $25-$45. (800-965-4827 or www.ticketweb.com)
Film
‘The Last Dance’: The Hampton Synagogue Jewish Film Festival screens award-winning director Mirra Bank’s feature documentary “The Last Dance,” a collaboration between author-illustrator Maurice Sendak and the modern dance company Pilobolus, exploring the legacy of the Holocaust. Inspired by Hans Krasa’s opera for children “Brundibar” — performed dozens of times by the children of Terezin, or Theresienstadt — the film weaves together interviews, rare Holocaust footage and dance performances. Hampton Arts Cinema, 2 Brook Rd.; July 28, 7:30 p.m., festival through Aug. 25; free. (631-288-0534)
Community
Simple Wisdom: Rabbi Irwin Kula, who shares Jewish insights on a new PBS television series, “Simple Wisdom,” speaks at the Jewish Center of the Hamptons on topics including “Judaism: The Art of Meaning Making,” “The Jewish People: Beyond the Tribe,” “The Art of Being Human — Spirituality and the Secular Quest,” “The Art of Loving — Sex and Intimacy” and “The Art of Money — The Challenge of Affluence.” Jewish Center of the Hamptons, 44 Woods Lane, East Hampton; July 26, following 10 a.m. Sabbath services and at noon Torah study; July 28-July 30, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.; free. (631-324-9858, ext. 201)
CALIFORNIA
Wartime Pasts: Easy Going, a travel shop and bookstore, hosts “Return to Germany: An Evening with Authors Examining Their Pasts.” Anneliese Korner-Kalman, author of “Across the Street From Adolf Hitler: A Memoir,” describes her face-to-face encounters with Hitler, who lived across the street from her when she was a child, and her experience appearing before the Gestapo. Eva Wald Leveton, author of “Eva’s Berlin: Memories of a Wartime Childhood” and daughter of a German-Jewish father and a German-Lutheran mother, discusses her experience in Berlin during World War II. Frederic C. Tubach and Bernat Rosner, co-authors, with Sally Patterson Tubach, of “An Uncommon Friendship: From Opposite Sides of the Holocaust,” talk about their tragically different experiences during the war: Rosner at 12 was taken with his family to Auschwitz, and Tubach at 13 attended Nazi youth group meetings in Germany. A question-and-answer session follows the panel discussion. Easy Going, 1385 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley; July 30, 7:30 p.m.; free. (510-843-3533 or www.easygoing.com)
Perera Tribute: A memorial for Victor Perera, who died June 14, honors his life as a literary and environmental writer whose work spanned more than 30 years. The author of “The Cross and the Pear Tree: A Sephardic Journey” and other books on Latin American affairs and the Middle East is remembered by friends and admirers, including Deena Metzger, Alicia Kozameh, George Lovell, Elio Zarmati, Jordan Elgrably and Stefani Valadez. Guests read poetry, play music, read from Perera’s work and talk about how the writer influenced their lives and careers. Beyond Baroque Literary/Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice; July 27, 7 p.m.; donations suggested. (323-650-3157 or www.ivri-nasawi.org)
Dinner & A Movie: New Bridges to Jewish Community at the Albert L. Schultz Jewish Community Center goes out to dinner and then to the CineArts Theater for the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival’s screenings of “Under Water” and “Four Short Films About Love.” The filmmakers join the audience members for a post-screening discussion. Meet at Spalti Restaurant, 417 California Ave., Palo Alto; dinner 6:30 p.m., screenings 8:45 p.m.; $28 dinner only, $35 dinner and films. (650-852-3505 or www.newbridges.org)
COLORADO
‘Schlep the Slopes’: At “Schlep the Slopes 2nd Annual Bike Ride for the Jewish Community,” participants age 14 and older embark on 25- and 50-mile rides through the Castle Rock/Palmer Lake areas. Meet at Grumpy Gringo, 215 Wilcox St., Castle Rock; Aug. 10, 50-mile ride 8 a.m., 25-mile ride 9 a.m., registration 45 minutes before ride; $36 before Aug. 1, $45 after Aug. 1. (303-316-6481 or www.jewishcolorado.org)
ILLINOIS
Multi-Ethnic Tour: Chicago Neighborhood Tours leads the way through the 10-block stretch of Devon Avenue, Chicago’s international marketplace with a blend of Indian, Pakistani, Jewish, Russian and South Asian offerings. Tour-takers learn about the area’s history, people and cuisine, browse at sari and jewelry stores and stroll through Middle Eastern, kosher, Indian and Russian emporiums. After the tour, participants are presented with a traditional Indian greeting of flower petals and rose water at the Indo-American Center, a discussion and then a performance. Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St.; Aug. 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; $25, $20 children, students and seniors. (312-742-1190 or www.chgocitytours.com)
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