Holocaust Survivors Fund to Aid Needy

The Swiss Fund for Needy Victims of the Holocaust, established by a consortium of Swiss banks, private companies and the Swiss National Bank in 1997, announced this week that about $185 million will be distributed to Holocaust survivors worldwide who meet certain criteria of need.

The fund is separate from the recent $1.25-billion settlement for unreturned Holocaust-era assets.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles will assist elderly Holocaust survivors in the Los Angeles area with the application process, which must be completed by Nov. 17. About $31.4 million has been allocated for survivors in the United States.

The federation estimates that there are 14,000 Holocaust survivors in the Los Angeles area.

To be eligible, an applicant must be a Jew who lived in a country at the time it was under a Nazi regime, occupation or collaborators; be a citizen, permanent resident or other legal resident of the United States; and be in need.

The Federation’s Jewish Family Service will assist Holocaust survivors in completing the application forms at four locations in the city. For information call the Pico-Robertson center, (310) 271-3306.

FESTIVALS

The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Canoga Park will host a music festival Saturday to benefit two organizations that have served the poor and less fortunate in the community.

Those who attend Holy Palooza 98 are asked to bring a bag of canned goods, clothing or household items to be donated to the Guadalupe Community Center and the Lutheran Social Service Center. Both organizations provide food, clothing and programs to assist needy families and children of the area.

Musical groups appearing at the daylong event will include the Agape Christian Fellowship Gospel Choir and the First Lutheran Church of Carson’s 75-member gospel choir.

In addition to music, there will be children’s activities, arts and crafts programs and games throughout the day. Also on hand will be members of the Los Angeles Police and Fire departments.

The festival will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 7500 DeSoto Ave., Canoga Park, from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Call (818) 348-4266.

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The Southern California Harvest Crusade will return to Anaheim’s Edison Field Thursday through Sunday with four nights of contemporary Christian music and gospel messages from evangelist Greg Laurie.

Friday and Saturday “Harvest Jam” nights are geared toward youth and will feature the Christian rock bands Audio Adrenaline and the Kry.

Laurie, pastor of the 15,000-member Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, will deliver a message each night focusing on Christian themes of biblical salvation in the context of current events.

Other performers scheduled to appear during the four-day event include Big Tent Revival, Crystal Lewis and baritone Jubilant Sykes, who has performed with the New York Metropolitan Opera.

There will be a food drive during the event. Attendees may bring nonperishable food items that will be collected by Canning Hunger.

Nightly programs will begin at 7:30, followed by Laurie’s message about 8:30. All events are free and open to the public. There is a $7 parking fee. Gates open at 6 p.m. There will be translations in Spanish, Korean, Arabic, Japanese and Vietnamese, as well as signing for the hearing-impaired.

This year’s crusade is also being broadcast live over the Internet. Visitors can access the Web site at https://www.harvest.org

Information: (800) CRUSADE.

MUSIC

The Crimson River Quartet will perform in concert at Lake Hills Community Church, 23331 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, on Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. The Orange County-based group plays traditional hymns and gospel music, including many original songs. The concert is free, a freewill offering will be passed. Call (949) 837-7729.

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The Palisades Symphony, with chorus and soloists, will perform Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” at Palisades Lutheran Church, 15905 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. Joel Lish will conduct. Free. Call (310) 459-2358.

CONFERENCE

The Miracle Distribution Center, a nonprofit organization founded in 1978 to foster the teachings found in “A Course in Miracles,” will present an international conference at the Anaheim Convention Center Aug. 29 and 30.

“A Course in Miracles,” a self-study course that stresses finding inner peace and health through prayer and forgiveness, has followers worldwide.

Lecturers and authors on the principles and history of the course who are scheduled to appear include Marianne Williamson, Gerald Jampolsky and Hugh Prather. The two-day conference is $125. For registration and information call (714) 738-8380 or visit the Web site at www.miraclecenter.org

THEATER

The Foothill Theater Troupe, a group of Christian young adults from throughout Southern California, will present the gospel musical “The Great Controversy” at the Wilshire Ebell Theater tonight at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. The play is a dramatic musical presentation of the conflict between Satan and Christ, featuring a cast of more than 50 young adults. Tickets are $21 to $36. For information call (213) 952-8988 or the Wilshire Ebell box office, (323) 939-1128.

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Notices may be mailed for consideration to Southern California File, c/o Nona Yates, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or by fax to Nona Yates, Southern California File at (213) 237-4712. Items should arrive two to three weeks before the event, except for spot news, and should include pertinent details about the people and organizations with address, phone number, date and time.

EVENTS

The men of Los Angeles’ First African Methodist Episcopal Church, West Angeles Church of God in Christ, Faithful Central Baptist, Greater Bethany and other AME churches in Southern California will host a march to stop gang violence, end racial discord and change the negative public image of black men Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Ward AME Church, Magnolia Avenue and Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles.

“It is time for youth to stop hurting youth. It is time for men of our community to embrace a new moral standard as we march into the next century,” said the Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray of First AME.

The march will end at First AME about 7 p.m. Bishop Charles Blake, pastor of the 17,000-member West Angeles Church, will deliver a message of peace and unity at the conclusion of the event.

Information: (213) 730-9194.