VOLUNTEERS HONORED: A total of 49 volunteers...

VOLUNTEERS HONORED: A total of 49 volunteers from Jewish synagogues and organizations throughout the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Antelope, Conejo and Simi valleys will be honored Tuesday at the Annual Organizations Assembly of the Women’s Department of the Jewish Federation/Valley Alliance. This year’s program is themed “Jerusalem 3000,” which the announcement said marks the anniversary of Jerusalem’s establishment as the capital of the Jewish people. The luncheon is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the new Shomrei Torah Synagogue, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. Cost is $40 per person. Reservations: (818) 587-3221.

HANUKKAH FESTIVITIES: Several events are planned locally to mark the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, which began Thursday night. Among the offerings: West Valley Hanukkah Festival, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children 2 to 12, (818) 587-3300; East Valley Hanukkah Festival, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Valley Cities Jewish Community Center, 13164 Burbank Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Admission is free, (818) 786-6310; Skirball Cultural Center festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., in the Sepulveda Pass. Admission is $8 for public and $4 for children 12 and younger and members, (310) 440-4666; Jewish folk music program produced by Back to the Shtetl, 8:30 tonight at a private home in Tarzana. Admission is $15 per person. Location and information: (818) 887-6053.

RUSSIAN OUTREACH: More than 400 people are expected to attend a special Hanukkah party for Russian Jews on Tuesday night at the West Valley Jewish Community Center in West Hills. About 270 toys have been collected for the children, surpassing the organizers’ goal of 180 toys. In addition to the gift-giving, the evening will include a musical performance by children who participate in the center’s Russian enrichment program.

REMEMBER WHEN: Two nostalgic Christmas programs are upcoming locally. The music, radio broadcasts and tension of World War II will be revived in a nostalgic musical called “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” presented tonight and Sunday at Newhall Church of the Nazarene. Wartime artifacts will be displayed before the performances. Show times are 7 tonight, and 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday at the church, 23857 The Old Road, Newhall. Free child care will be provided for all performances. Admission is free. (805) 259-5272. Los Angeles Baptist High School will present a Broadway-style musical titled “Four Tickets to Christmas,” set in turn-of-the-century America, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Dec. 14 at 9825 Woodley Ave., North Hills. Admission is $5 each. (818) 894-5742.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: A wide array of music--from classical and contemporary pieces to traditional Christmas favorites--will be presented by Metropolitan Community Church in the Valley tonight. The concert will be given at 5 and 8 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Christian Church of North Hollywood, 4390 Colfax Ave. A $10 donation is asked per person. (818) 762-1133.

INSPIRATIONAL TALK: Judy Horn, whose husband, Bob, has been incapacitated for eight years by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, will be the guest speaker at 10:30 a.m. Sunday services at St. John’s in the Valley United Methodist Church. Copies of her husband’s book, “How Will They Know When I’m Dead?” will be available before and after the service. The church is at 20600 Roscoe Blvd., Winnetka. (818) 341-6434.

12-STEP PROGRAM: A Hanukkah program for Jews in 12-step recovery programs will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Temple Beth Hillel, 12326 Riverside Drive, Valley Village. Participants are asked to bring their menorah to the program sponsored by the synagogue and the Alcohol Drug Action Program of Jewish Family Service. Reservations are requested but not required. Admission is free. (818) 763-9148.

CHOIR PERFORMS: The Glendale City Seventh-day Adventist Church will celebrate the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus and the 3000th anniversary of the establishment of Jerusalem with a program of Christmas music by a mass choir. The event is planned for 7:30 p.m. Friday at the church at 610 E. California Ave., Glendale. Admission is free, but a free-will offering will be taken. (818) 244-7241.

PRAYER RETREAT: Holy Spirit Retreat house will host a one-day retreat called “Praying the Gospels of Advent” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. Cost is $20, which includes lunch. Reservations: (818) 784-4515.

BENEFIT SHOW: A Christmas concert to benefit Angels Way Maternity Home will be presented by the New Horizon Singers and Pacific Pops Orchestra at 8 tonight at Northridge United Methodist Church, 9650 Reseda Blvd. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and seniors. Reservations: (818) 879-8444.

HOLIDAY MUSICAL: “Thou Shalt Call His Name Jesus,” a Christmas musical, will be presented at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1101 N. Central Ave., Glendale. The program will include dramatic readings, narration, soloists and music by two choirs. Admission is free. (818) 243-9993.

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