Religion Notes

ANTI-SEMITISM DISCUSSED: Helen Silberman Katzman will speak on “Brothers Grimm and Anti-Semitism? You’ll Be Surprised” at 1 p.m. Thursday at Temple Judea, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. A $1 donation is requested. Information: (818) 758-3800.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: The Episcopal Chorale will perform at 4 p.m. today at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 7136 Winnetka Ave., Canoga Park, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration. The concert will be followed at 7 p.m. by a Mardi Gras event with a Cajun-style catered dinner. The cost is $15 per event. Information: (818) 348-1419.

LECTURES: Two free lectures are planned Sunday at the Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society, 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. At 10:45 a.m. the Rev. James Bodman will lecture on “Valentine’s Day: A Day of Love?” focusing on the meaning of love being lost in our fast-paced society. From 6:45 to 9 p.m. Amanda Foulger, a shamanic practitioner and counselor, will lecture on “Shamanism: The World’s Oldest Form of Spiritual Practice--What Does It Hold for Us Today?” Shamanism, an ancient system for healing illnesses and other forms of suffering, encourages well-being and growth using personal sources of wisdom, mind, body and spirit. Information: (818) 894-9251.

RELIGIOUS LITERATURE CLASS: Rabbi Jeffrey Ronald, education director for the Kol Tikvah Temple, will teach an eight-session course, “Prophet Sharing in the 1990s,” from 8 to 9 p.m. beginning Tuesday at the temple, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. The course is free for members of Kol Tikvah and the Ami Chavurah, $25 for guests. Information: (818) 348-0670.

MATZAH HISTORY: Barbara Gilbert, fine arts curator at the Skirball Cultural Center, will present a lecture and slide presentation on “The History of Matzah: The Story of the Jews,” at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. in the Sepulveda Pass. The event, sponsored by the associates of the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging, is part of the Larry Rivers exhibit. The $45 cost includes brunch. Information: (818) 774-3340.

ASH WEDNESDAY PRAYER: An Ash Wednesday day of prayer will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. The day will focus on God’s love and forgiveness and will include input, prayer, reflection, sharing and ritual. Free. Information: (818) 784-4515.

JEWISH ETHICS COURSE: The “World of Jewish Ethics,” a four-part lecture series, will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Conejo Jewish Academy, 30345 Canwood St., Agoura Hills. The first program, led by Rabbi Yosef Schusterman, will discuss “Jewish Medical Ethics” and focus on organ transplants and euthanasia. Other lectures will deal with social, business and legal ethics. The cost for the series is $36, or $10 per session. Information and reservations: (818) 991-0991.

ASSEMBLYMAN TO SPEAK: Assemblyman Robert M. Hertzberg will speak at Shabbat services at 8:15 p.m. Friday at Temple Judea, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. Free. Information: (818) 758-3800.

JUNIOR CONGREGATION: A special Shabbat service for fourth- through sixth-graders will begin at 10:15 a.m. Feb. 20 in the Kurland Family Chapel and at the same time at Temple Aliyah, 6026 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. Free. Information: (818) 342-7202.

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