LA Jewish Journal

Picks and Clicks
By Dikla Kadosh and Danielle Berrin

THU | AUGUST 14

(TU B'AV)

They say, "All you need is love." Well, you'll have it in droves at JConnectLA's "LOVEFEST," a permutation of Valentine's Day

-- Jewish style. Local Jewish stars such as Moshav and cutesy comedian Smooth-E will entertain crowds who aren't busy in the "Heebster shuk," grooving with the drum circle or dining on the kosher cuisine being dished up. For the bookworms, writer Lisa Alcalay Klug will debut her treatise, "Cool Jew: The Ultimate Guide for Every Member of the Tribe," and sign copies for her cool Jewish fans. And for the lovelorn or single folk, fear not: There's instant matchmaking and a rather large (pay-as-you-chug) bar. Thu. 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. $15 (advance), $20 (door). Fu's Palace, 8751 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 405-2336. http://www.jconnectla.com.

Circuit
Fall in Love With Judaism
August 27, 2008
By Danielle Berrin

In ancient Jerusalem, the holiday of Tu B'Av was celebrated when unmarried women would dress in white and dance through the vineyards, hoping to catch a man's eye. JConnectLA put a modern spin on the ancient ritual with an Aug. 14 "Love Fest," a late-night romp at Fu's Palace that focused on Jewish culture over romance.

But not everyone gave up on love. Michal Taviv, JconnectLA's program director, donned a wedding dress for the occasion.

Jewish pride seeped through every act: Moshav and comedian Smooth-E entertained a raucous crowd; Modern Tribe, Jewcy, Rabbi's Daughters and Threaded Heritage sold their goods in a "Heebster shuk" (thongs with Jewish catchphrases, anyone?); Rabbi Yonah and Rachel Bookstein, creators of Jewlicious, presided over "Instant Matchmaking"; and author and event co-organizer, Lisa Alcalay Klug, debuted her new book, "Cool Jew: The Ultimate Guide for Every Member of the Tribe."

"There is an organic synergy between the work JConnectLA does and the aims of Jewlicious and my own aims," Alcalay Klug said. "My book is celebration of Jewish culture, a rally call to identify as a proud and informed Jew -- it elevates Jewish unity and community and having fun with who we are."

It's the new Tu B'Av: Fall in love with being Jewish.