Religion Notes

SHAVUOT CELEBRATIONS: Temple Judea will celebrate the Jewish festival Shavuot with an all-night study session on a range of topics from 9 p.m. May 30 until dawn at the temple, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. The holiday, also known as the “Festival of Weeks,” commemorates the Jewish people’s receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai, and is marked by confirmation ceremonies and reading the Torah as a symbol of the Jewish value of learning.

“According to the lore, the Jewish people slept soundly in the desert the night before receiving the Torah so as to have the strength to live up to its challenge,” Temple Judea’s Rabbi Zachary Mayer said. “The tradition of Tikkun Leil Shavuot is to show God we’re so ready to learn, we’ll stay up all night.”

Informal, 30-minute classes will be offered throughout the night on topics such as retirement planning, Jewish humor, numerology, magic, family history, musical satire, zodiacs, palm reading, Israeli dancing and more. Free for members, $10 for nonmembers.

The temple will also hold a graduation ceremony for seventh-grade congregants at 7 p.m. May 30, and a confirmation ceremony at 10 a.m. May 31 at the temple. Information: (818) 758-3800.

Beth Knesset Bamidbar, the Reform synagogue of the Antelope Valley, will observe Shavuot by joining other Reform congregations in a night of services and a Torah study session from 7 to 11 p.m. May 30 at the temple, 1611 East Ave. J, Lancaster. Other Shavuot events at the synagogue will include a Shabbat evening service at 6:30 p.m. Friday, confirmation ceremonies at 10 a.m. May 30 and a children’s service at 10 a.m. May 31. Information: (805) 942-4415.

Temple Beth Hillel will offer a Tikun Leil Shavuot session to study the biblical Book of Ruth with Rabbi Paul Kipnes and educator Laura Bramson from 9:30 p.m. to midnight May 30 at the synagogue, 12326 Riverside Drive, North Hollywood. The receiving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai will be reenacted just before midnight. Information and reservations: (818) 763-9148.

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ISRAELI CONSUL TO SPEAK: Consul Ido Aharoni, Israel’s consul general for communications and public affairs in Los Angeles, will discuss Israel’s military and political challenges in its quest for peace at a Temple Beth Emet Men’s Club brunch at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at 600 N. Buena Vista St., Burbank. The cost is $3 for brunch; free for women. Guests may attend the lecture only at no cost at 10:15 a.m. Information: (818) 843-4787.

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BENEFIT CONCERT: The eclectic band Envoy will perform folk, jazz and pop selections at 7 p.m. May 30 at St. James Presbyterian Church, 19414 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. Admission is $5 general, $2 for children. Proceeds benefit the Lord’s Kitchen for the homeless and the church’s Chancel Choir. Information: (818) 343-7998.

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HAND-BELL CHOIRS: Santa Clarita United Methodist Church will host a musical evening featuring two hand-bell choirs under the direction of Patti Kreis at 7 p.m. May 31 at the church, 26640 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus. Donations appreciated. Information: (805) 297-3783.

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ANNUAL AUCTION: Bethel Lutheran Church will hold its annual “Life Auction” at 6:30 tonight at 17500 Burbank Blvd., Encino. Dodgers tickets, a TV and VCR are featured auction items. Proceeds will finance a musical tour in Colorado for the youth group Life Assurance. Free admission. Information: (818) 788-2653.

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News and announcements for this column can be sent to Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311.