Religion Notes

PURIM BALL: A Purim Ball, featuring the music of Jimmy Gamliel and Michal Boneh, dancing, a kosher buffet and a costume contest, will be held at 8 tonight at the Valley Cities Jewish Community Center, 13164 Burbank Blvd., Sherman Oaks. The cost is $36. Information: (818) 786-6310.

FESTIVAL: The Festival of Colors will be celebrated from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the Valley Hindu Temple, 18700 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge. Free. Information: (818) 772-7736.

PURIM CARNIVALS: Purim carnivals will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Temple Aliyah, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Temple B’nai Hayim, 4302 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks. The carnivals will offer rides, games, cultural holiday foods and silent auctions. Admission is free. Information for Temple Aliyah: (818) 346-3545. Information for Temple B’nai Hayim: (818) 788-4664.

POWER LECTURE: The Rev. James Bodman will present a lecture on power in the congregation and how it can best be used at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at the Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society, 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. Free. Information: (818) 894-9251.

MEGILLAH READINGS: Three Valley temples will present fun-filled reenactments of the Purim story at Megillah readings Monday. One begins at 7 p.m. at Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd. Temple Beth Haverim will present its reading at 7 p.m. at Willow Elementary School, 29026 Laro Drive, Agoura Hills. Temple Beth Hillel, 12326 Riverside Drive, Valley Village, will host its reading at 7:30 p.m. All services invite children to dress up in costumes, and noisemakers will be available. Free. Information for Valley Beth Shalom: (818) 788-6000. Information for Temple Beth Haverim: (818) 991-7111. Information for Temple Beth Hillel: (818) 763-9148.

JOURNEY TO SHUSHAN: Chabad of the Conejo will host a family festival celebrating Purim at 7 p.m. Monday in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Westlake Plaza, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. The festival will include Megillah readings, a walking tour titled “Journey to Shushan,” and a show, “The Equilibristic Marvel.” Children are encouraged to dress in costume for a masquerade contest, and a noisemaker will be provided for each child. The cost is $3 per person or $10 per family. Information: (818) 991-0991.

FOUR FAITHS DISCUSSED: An interfaith discussion, “What There Is in My Religious Teaching Which Keeps Me Practicing My Faith, Part 1,” sponsored by the Valley Interfaith Council, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5338 White Oak Ave., Encino. The four faiths represented will be the Roman Catholic, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hindu and the African Methodist Episcopal. Free. Information: (818) 718-6460. Ext. 3001.

LUNCHEON: The Catholic Community Luncheon will be held at noon Wednesday at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn, 4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood. Fellowship will begin at 11:30 a.m. The $14 cost includes a buffet lunch. Information and reservations: (818) 846-3271.

WELCOME HOME CATHOLICS: A “Welcome Home “ workshop for inactive Catholics will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Incarnation Catholic Church Parish Center, 1001 N. Brand Blvd., San Fernando. Free. Information: (818) 242-2579.

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News and announcements for this column can be sent to Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311.