Skirball hosts talk on role of Jews

Historian Aron Rodrigue of Stanford University will discuss "Jews in Muslim Lands in Modern Times" at 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 7 at Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. The author of "Sephardi Jewry: A History of the Judeo-Spanish Community," Rodrigue will explore the complex relationship between modern-day Jews and Muslims living in traditionally Islamic communities around the world.

At 6:30 p.m. visitors are invited for a pre-lecture docent tour highlighting the Jewish experience in the Mediterranean. No reservations are required for the tour, but advance ticket purchase is recommended for the lecture ($5-$8) by calling (323) 655-8587.

At 7:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 18, Bill Aron and Vicki Reikes Fox will share what they learned while documenting southern Jewish communities in "Smile Y’All: Documenting Jewish Communities in the South." Aron is a Los Angeles photographer and Fox is founding project director of the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, Mississippi.

Their presentation is in association with the Skirball’s exhibition "Shalom Y’all: Images of Jewish Life in the American South," which will be on view Dec. 12-Feb. 9. Organized by the Skirball, this traveling exhibition is the first comprehensive look at the contemporary Southern Jewish experience.

Tickets are $3-$5 and available by calling (323) 655-8587. The museum is open noon-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. and from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Museum admission is $6-$8.

For general information, please call (310) 440-4500 or visit www.skirball.org.