Valley Interfaith Council hosts special events

The San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council will sponsor a celebration in conjunction with National Day of Prayer at 7 p.m. tonight, Thurs., May 1 at Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Speakers at the "Let There Be Peace On Earth" program include representatives from many faith traditions including Rabbi Harold Schulweis, Dr. Maher Hathout (Muslim), Nirinjan Singh Khalsa (Sikh) as well as Hindu, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant (Lutheran) and Baha’i.

Special musical presentations will be offered by soprano Valerie Ricks and members of the Gay Mens Chorus of Los Angeles. Refreshments will be served following the service.

This event is free and open to the public. For information, please call Eileen Killoren at (818) 718-6460.

From 7-9 p.m. Sun., May 18 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5338 White Oak Ave., Encino, the Interfaith Relations Committee of the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council will present an interfaith panel discussion on the topic "How My Faith Tradition Helps Me Deal with Tragedy." Father Bob Bonnot, vice president of the Council, will serve as moderator. Panelists include representatives from Baha’i, LDS, Judaism, Protestant and Roman Catholic. For more information, please call Kathy Bradfield at (818) 718-6460, ext. 3001.