What’s Inside
Latest News & Upcoming Events
– Time to Renew Your Temple Membership!
– An Unforgettable Israel Journey You Won’t Want to Miss!
– A Perfect Volunteer Opportunity for Families
– A Special Shabbat for Grandparents and Their Grandchildren
– A Campus Preparedness Event for Rising College Freshman and Current College Students
Worship and Study
– July 26: Shabbat at the Beach with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Rabbi Sari Laufer, Cantor Emma Lutz, Cantorial Intern Lauren Blasband-Roth, Cantorial Intern Andrew Paskil, and Kol Tikvah
– July 27: Spirit of Shabbat with Rabbi Sari Laufer
Clergy Corner
– Sermon from July 19 Shabbat – “Thoughts on the Attempted Assassination”
– Join Our Antisemitism Initiative
– Listen to the Latest Search for Meaning with Rabbi Yoshi Podcast
Local Happenings
– Share Your News and Events
Latest News & Upcoming Events
This year we are celebrating the inspirational accomplishments of Stephen Wise Temple over the last 60 years and we are looking forward to seeing what will come in the next 60 years. If you have not yet renewed your membership, please do so today!
If you have any questions, please contact our Membership department at [email protected], or call us at 310.889.2230.
School families: Your renewal was processed with school registration, so you’re all set!
Experience Israel With Wise: A Trip Like No Other
December 23, 2024 – January 2, 2025
Join us for an unforgettable experience: our Intergenerational Wise Family Adventure in Israel!
There has never been a more important time to embark on this meaningful journey; to come together as a people and learn, laugh, cry, heal, love, and above all, return home.
On your Israel journey with Wise you will:
Feel the warmth of Hannukah surrounded by glowing hanukkiyot in the city of Modiin ⋅ Discover outdoor adventure and beautiful stargazing in the Negev ⋅ Unearth the history of our people by exploring Masada, museums, and an archeological dig ⋅ Savor the flavors of Israel with guided culinary experiences ⋅ Dive deep into Jewish history and culture through parallel adult and youth programming ⋅ And so, so much more!
Create unforgettable memories for the whole family as you immerse yourself in Israel like never before!
Please be advised – space is limited and we encourage you to secure your spot on our trip as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Make a Difference with Your Whole Family
Join us at Our Big Kitchen LA on Sunday, August 11 at 1 p.m. to help prepare a Kosher meal for those in need throughout Los Angeles. Together we will learn about OBKLA’s amazing operation before getting our hands dirty (with gloves of course!) as we prep food for distribution. There is a per-person charge of $36 which covers the cost of the food we’ll be preparing and helps to sustain OBKLA. Grandparents – Bring your grandkids to this great multigenerational project!
In the spirit of l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation, please join Rabbi Ron, Becky, Milo, and Ollie at our temple’s Grandparent and Me Kabbalat Shabbat; a unique opportunity for grandparents and grandchildren to spend time welcoming Shabbat together – the Wise way!
Join us on Friday, August 2, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. for this special opportunity to connect with your grandchildren, as well as your fellow Wise community grandparents. We welcome all grandparents with grandchildren five and under to enjoy this hour full of song, prayer, light refreshments, and activities led by your Wise clergy, along with music teacher extraordinaire Ditza Zakay.
Start a new family tradition as we share together the beauty of Shabbat and make meaningful memories that will forever be a part of your grandchildren’s connections to family, Shabbat, and the temple community.
Are you a rising college freshman or parent or guardian of student who will be studying on a campus this fall?
If so, please join Jewish Federation Los Angeles, their Campus Impact Network, Stephen Wise Temple, and many more of our Jewish community partners, for the Rising Freshman College Preparedness Briefing on Sunday, August 4, 9:30 a.m. — 12 p.m. at the Federation, located at 6505 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, 90048.
During this special briefing, Jewish communal professionals, campus administrators, collage alumni, and current Jewish college students will share:
Effective strategies for a smooth college transition; a deep understanding of how to effectively navigate the current campus climate; pathways towards Jewish engagement on campus; tips on how to thrive on campus; and valuable resources about Jewish campus life.
Current high school students and parents are also welcome!
Kosher breakfast will be served. Registration is required to attend.
Worship and Study
This schedule is subject to change. Visit our website for a complete calendar of events.
Torah Portion: Pinchas
Friday, July 26
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat at the Beach! With Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Rabbi Sari Laufer, Cantor Emma Lutz, Cantorial Intern Lauren Blasband-Roth, Cantorial Intern Andrew Paskil, and Kol Tikvah | Crescent Bay Park, 2000 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405 | In-Person or Watch Online
Saturday, July 27
8:45 a.m. | Spirit of Shabbat with Rabbi Sari Laufer
| Chapel Study | In-Person and Online | Register
Experience a Beautiful Shabbat at the Beach
This Friday, July 26, at 6:15 p.m., Wise and Kol Tikvah are thrilled to invite you to a Shabbat like no other!
Join us for a relaxing and meaningful evening at Crescent Bay Park, 2000 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Enjoy the beauty of the beach as our communities come together for a special oceanside Shabbat experience. It’s everything you love about Wise Shabbat, and more!
Services begin promptly at 6:15 p.m. We welcome you to arrive a bit earlier with blankets, chairs, and food. A light oneg will follow services.
No registration is required; all family and friends are welcome to spend this refreshing and uplifting Shabbat with Wise and Kol Tikvah.
We can’t imagine a better way to wrap up the week and welcome Shabbat than with a beautiful sunset, an inspirational service, and you!
Clergy Corner
Shabbat Sermon
In the wake of the attempted assassination, Rabbi David Woznica embraces a challenging moment in American history and, inspired by Jewish tradition and 2000 years of insight, shares four specific hopes that he has for our nation going forward. Experience the full sermon and learn even more with our clergy on our YouTube channel.
Join Wise in Fighting Antisemitism
In this current climate, Wise is not only committed to supporting our college students, but also to being a voice, collectively speaking up and out for our people more broadly. In addition to our new partnerships with The Lawfare Project and The Brandeis Center, we are asking all of our members to help us strengthen our network by filling out this questionnaire.
In doing so, you will enable us to learn more about the connections and relationships our congregation has so that we might appropriately leverage our influence for the sake of current students, as well as future generations. With your assistance, we will be able to respond swiftly and powerfully as a community.
All information will be kept confidential.
Listen to the Latest Search for Meaning Podcast with Geoff Winston
Geoff Winston is an Israel educator and tour guide who has worked with Rabbi Yoshi many times over more than two decades. He led Rabbi Yoshi’s recent solidarity mission to Israel this past February. Learn about his path to aliya, his reflections on October 7th, and the hope he finds in this moment.
Local Happenings
If you or a community member you know have recently been recognized or honored, or if you have an event you wish to publicize to our community or that could involve our community, please contact us at [email protected].
In Memoriam
We remember with love those who died in recent days and weeks:
Kaddish List:
Shirley Ashkenas, Marjorie Hess, Barbara Seidman
Yahrzeit List:
Hyman Adler*, Joseph Ash, Bernice Jean Banen, Ronald Beldner, Susan Berger, Howard Besbris, Shirley Bigel*, George Blair, Herbert Bornstein*, Yeugenia Ya. Brusilovskaya*, Ernie Charney, Sunnie C. Crasnick*, Jacob Davis, Shirley Dentist*, Kenneth F. Dryfoos*, Mark Dukhovny, Olga Erdei, Mitchell E. Feld*, Eudice Friedman, Ann Furie, Abraham Gesundheit*, Shirley Gieras, Ervin Goldstein, Albert Jerome Goodman*, Suzanne Handlin*, Bernie Hanes*, Dana Evynn Haskin*, Meyer Hersch, Yetta Hundert*, Melinda Kaish*, Phineas Kappe*, Moe Karp*, Michael Leffler, Miriam Lesner, Isaac Lipen*, Helen S. Matz*, Aron Meerovitch, Abraham Miller*, Lorraine Pepper, Z. Steven Petrus*, Roslyn Pinkus, Yuri Polishuk, Charlotte C. Rabin*, Oscar Moses Aaron Rona*, Susie Deutsch Salva*, Henry Scheinbaum*, Martin Schiff, Phillip Schwartz*, David Sheinbein*, Harold J. Shields*, Philip B. Shubb*, Lee Shumsky*, Hortense R. Silver, Maurice H. Stept*, Jerry Tanzer*, Dorothy Tomin*, Maurice C. Verbin*, Robert Versman*, Albert Waldinger*, Helen Walter, Lilly Weiler, Norman Weitzman*, Randy Williams, Victor M. Williams*, Saul Zucker, Joseph Zweiback
Tributes
We honor our loved ones, our family simchas, and our communal losses through charitable giving. To give in honor or in memory of a cherished family member or dear friend, please visit WiseLA.org/Giving.
RABBI YOSHI ZWEIBACK DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Barbara Seidman, by Andrea Keith
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
IN MEMORY OF
Barbara Scapa, by Melissa Neuhoff
SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Barbara Seidman, by Charles Million
WISE READERS TO LEADERS
IN HONOR OF
Emma and Jake Sonnenberg’s wedding, by Beth and Maury Freeman
YAHRZEIT FUND
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Joseph Ash, by Arlene and Arnold Newman
Howard Besbris and Helen Walter, by Cathy and Richard Walter
Meyer Hersch, by Sharon and Mitchell Hersch
Linda Holman, by Laura and Harvey Alpert
Lee Shumsky, by Ellen Shumsky
Randy Williams, by Sunny Caine
