JOINT CELEBRATION: For the second consecutive year,...

JOINT CELEBRATION: For the second consecutive year, members of the First Presbyterian Church of North Hollywood will celebrate Martin Luther King’s birthday with members of Faithful St. Mark Baptist Church in South Los Angeles. Last year the service was held in North Hollywood; this year it will be held Sunday afternoon in South Los Angeles. “The service in honor of the late civil rights leader is a wonderful opportunity for the two churches to meet in the spirit of brotherhood,” the Rev. Dan Clark, pastor of First Presbyterian, said in a statement.

DOUBLE HONOR: Dr. Daniel Farkas and Dr. David Farkas, dentist twins who co-founded the Los Angeles Hebrew High School Alumni Assn. in 1964, will be honored with the LAHHS Chesed Award at the school’s annual dinner dance Sunday in Westwood. David just completed a seven-year term as president of the school’s board of directors and Daniel served 13 years on the board as vice president from the late 1950s to the early ‘60s. Established in 1949, the school provides intensive Hebrew and Judaic education for nearly 300 students in grades 7 through 12.

EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOP: Shalom Zone Urban Development Project in conjunction with the First United Methodist Church of Pacoima will host a “Knowledge Is Power” workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the church at 12550 Van Nuys Blvd. Janie M. Taylor, Reseda Elementary School principal, will speak on “Empowering Parents and Students” and Wayne Dickason, Kennedy High School science teacher, will address “Building a Successful Foundation for Success in High School and College.” Admission is free. (818) 896-2626.

TEENS IN ACTION: Adat Ari El in North Hollywood is expecting 400 Jewish teens from throughout the southwest for 48 hours of religious observance, study and social action. The weekend event began Friday with Shabbat services conducted by the youth. Today, local judges and attorneys will preside over the “trials” of Abraham, accused of child abuse, King David, accused of adultery and attempted murder, and Rebekkah, accused of stealing. On Sunday, 2,500 pieces of clothing will be donated to various charities.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Two programs will address domestic violence within Jewish families. Lynn Moriarity, director of the Family Violence Project of the Jewish Family Services of Los Angeles, will speak on “Spousal Abuse in the Jewish Community” at 8 p.m. Shabbat services Friday at Temple Beth Torah, 16651 Rinaldi St., Granada Hills. (818) 831-0835. On Jan. 28, Rabbi Elliot Dorff of the University of Judaism will present a talk on “Family Violence: It Happens to Jews, Too,” at the university, 15600 Mulholland Drive, in the Sepulveda Pass. Coffee will be served at 10 a.m. and the program begins at 11. Cost is $5 for University Women members and $6 for the public. Reservations are required. (310) 476-9777, Ext. 283.

ENTERTAINMENT DINNER: Vic Faraci, senior vice president of Warner Brothers Records Inc., will share his personal and professional experiences at an Entertainment Fellowship dinner Tuesday in Toluca Lake. As head of both the Nashville Division of Warner Brothers Records and the Warner/Reprise label, Faraci works with such performers as Randy Travis, Dwight Yoakam and R.E.M. The Entertainment Fellowship is a nonprofit organization of people who are concerned with the level of ethics and morals in movies, television, recordings, stages, print and the Internet. The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Barone’s restaurant, 10123 Riverside Drive. Cost is $12 for members and $17 for nonmembers. (818) 909-0841.

SHABBAT SHIRA: Two local synagogues are planning special celebrations of Shabbat Shira, the Sabbath of Song. Temple Ahavat Shalom, American Jewish Congress Feminist Center and Women of Reform Judaism will co-sponsor a special service featuring the “Song of Miriam,” a musical setting by composer Andrea Jill Higgins, at 8 p.m. Friday, 18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge. (818) 360-2258. Temple Ramat Zion will hold a “Lunch and Learn” discussion on Shabbat Shira with Rabbi Steven Tucker after 9 a.m. Shabbat morning services Jan. 25. Reservations are not required and there is no cost. The synagogue is at 17655 Devonshire St., Northridge. (818) 360-1881.

ORGAN CONCERT: Jonas Nordwall, organist for the Oregon Symphony Orchestra and the First United Methodist Church of Portland, will present a mini-concert at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Bel Air Presbyterian Church, 16221 Mulholland Drive, in the Sepulveda Pass. Admission is free. (818) 788-4200.

LIFE ON A KIBBUTZ: Minority students will recount their experience of spending five weeks on a kibbutz in Israel at a special event Sunday morning at the Valley Cities Jewish Community Center, 13164 Burbank Blvd., Van Nuys. Cookie Lommel, founder of Operation Unity, will lead the discussion of the program. The 10 a.m. event is presented by the Hadassah Sherman Oaks and Aviva Groups. Admission is free. (818) 783-3488.

MESSIANIC JEWS: A study group will focus on Messianic Jews at a sack lunch discussion from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Hadassah Southern California Northern Area Resource Center, 16830 Ventura Blvd., Suite 266, Encino. Discussions will focus on a compilation of material developed in a National Action Alert from Hadassah’s American Affairs/Domestic Policy Department. Admission is free. (818) 783-3488.

MUSICAL SERVICE: Composer Michael Isaacson will conduct his Sabbath evening service titled “Nishmat Chayim” (The Breath of Life) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Temple Beth Hillel, 12326 Riverside Drive, Valley Village. The service features Cantor Alan Weiner, the North Wind Quintet, and Temple Beth Hillel Adult Choir and Alan Raines on keyboard. Admission is free. (818) 763-9148.