Religion Notes

FAMILY FUN: A Family Fun Festival with music, pony rides, crafts festival, games, food and beverages will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at First Baptist Church, 5737 Fallbrook Ave., Woodland Hills. Free admission. Proceeds will benefit the American Baptist Church’s refugee aid efforts in various countries. Information: (818) 347-7760.

DIVERSITY SERVICE: The Rev. Bob McDill will present “The Importance of Humanity,” a program for individuals who believe that all people deserve respect, at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society, 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. Free. Information: (818) 894-9251.

EXHIBIT TALK: Barbara Gilbert, curator of fine arts at the Skirball Cultural Center, will discuss the exhibit, “Tobi Kahn: Metamorphoses,” at 2 p.m. Sunday at the center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Sepulveda Pass. Free for members, $6 for guests. Information: (310) 440-4636.

JEWISH CENTER’S ART: The West Valley Jewish Community Center will hold an artists’ reception for the newly opened exhibit “Art of Our Generations” from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the center, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. The exhibit, a group project featuring art from all Jewish community centers in the San Fernando Valley, will continue through Aug. 22. Free. Information: (818) 587-3300.

JEWISH HISTORY: Professor David Neiman will present “The Ashkenazic Experience,” a lecture on Jewish history, at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Chabad of Sherman Oaks, 14960 Ventura Blvd. The cost is $7. Information and reservations: (818) 789-0850.

YOUTH GAMES: Temple Aliyah’s Youth Program will hold “Let the Games Begin,” a night for youths 12 and older to enjoy basketball, a variety of board games and ice cream, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the temple, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. Free. Information: (818) 346-3545.

BOOK DISCUSSION: Rabbi Steven Leder will discuss how spirituality can be found in daily life and read from his book, “The Extraordinary Nature of Ordinary Things,” at 1 p.m. Friday at the West Valley Jewish Community Center, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. Free. Information and reservations: (818) 464-3300.

SONG IN THE PARK: Congregation Beth Knesset Bamidbar will present its annual Service-in-Song, in which soloists Art and Fran Beckerman will conduct services entirely in song at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Desert Sands Park, 39101 3rd St. East, Palmdale. Participants are invited to bring a picnic dinner for a meal after the service. Free. Information: (661) 942-4415.

TAIZE PRAYER: A Taize Prayer service, a contemplative form of prayer featuring a format of chant, scripture, prayers of petition and the veneration of the cross, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. Free. Information: (818) 784-4515.

SHABBAT OUTDOORS: Shabbat Under the Stars, a service of worship in an outdoor chapel, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Fridays throughout the summer at Leo Baeck Temple, 300 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Bel-Air. An Oneg Shabbat service, also held outdoors, will proceed Shabbat Under the Stars. Free. Information: (310) 476-2861.

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