The Napa Valley College holds auditions for “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” a touring production, Jan. 22 and 23 at 5 p.m. in the college theater. Ages 14-70 are encouraged to audition.

Those wishing to audition should come prepared to read from the script. Prepared monologues are welcome, but not required. The production will tour to local elementary schools in the spring of 2007 and daytime availability on performance days is required.

This version of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” is written by Mollie Boice and Tim Hayes and will be directed by John Rustan.

The Napa Valley College Theater is in Building 1200 on the college campus, 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway, Napa. For more information, or if you cannot make it to the auditions, contact Napa Valley College Artistic Director Jennifer King through the theater box office at 259-8077.

“Kabbalah: A Love Story” will be the theme of the fourth salon to be held  Sunday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.at Congregation Beth Sholom in Napa. Rabbi Larry Kushner will discuss his new book and the teachings of the Kabbalah. This book as well as a variety of his other books will be available for sale and autograph. Kushner has written 16 books and has been a commentator on NPR’s “All Things Considered.”  Kushner is the Emanu-El Scholar at Congregation Emanu-El of San Francisco where he devotes his full energies to teaching and writing. He also served as visiting professor of Jewish spirituality at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and as Rabbi-in-residence at Hebrew Union College in New York City.

 The purpose of a salon is to provide a comfortable setting to conduct serious discussions about politics, history and the culture of the time. It becomes a place to meet new people and share ideas and concerns while enjoying wine, cheese and compelling discussions.

  To attend this salon, send a check for a donation of $35 to Congregation Beth Sholom/Salon 4, 1455 Elm St., Napa, CA 94559. Include your name and phone number on the check. For more information, please call 944-9773.

Following the salon, the Honorable David Akov, consul general of Israel, Pacific Northwest Region, will speak on the situation in the Middle East, 4-6 p.m. From 1995 to 2000, Akov lived in Washington, D.C., working in the Israeli Embassy as the liaison between the government of Israel and Congress. During his last four years in Israel, Akov had spent much of his time dealing with Congress and American political affairs. The consul general urged people to use the consulate as a resource.

“The consulate should be regarded as a gateway and a bridge to Israel,” he said. “I encourage organizations and individuals to use us as much as possible, this is what we are here for.”

The community is invited to this special program by David Akov. There is no charge for this event. Refreshments will be provided. Info, 253-7305.