What’s Inside

Latest News & Upcoming Events
– Time to Renew Your Temple Membership!
– An Unforgettable Israel Journey You Won’t Want to Miss!
– Make an Impact volunteering with Wise Readers to Leaders
– A Special Shabbat for Grandparents and Their Grandchildren
– A Campus Preparedness Event for Rising College Freshman and Current College Students
Worship and Study
– July 19: Shabbat Evening Services with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Rabbi David Woznica, Cantorial Intern Lauren Blasband-Roth, and Cantorial Intern Andrew Paskil
– July 20: Spirit of Shabbat with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
– July 26: Shabbat at the Beach with Temple Kol Tikvah
Clergy Corner
 Sermon from July 11 Shabbat – “It’s the Small Stuff that Trips You Up”
– 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.

Volunteer with Wise Readers to Leaders

Wise Readers to Leaders is excited and honored to be partnering with Stephen Wise Temple for the organization’s 12th summer of empowering young scholars from under-resourced communities in Los Angeles.  Each day this summer begins with an energizing Pep Rally, where we invite community members to join us as special Reading Rally Guests. Volunteer reader spots are open for 8:30 – 9:15 a.m. Monday-Friday until July 26. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your love of books and inspire our young scholars. Participate as a Reading Rally Guest this summer!

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: Balak

Friday, July 19

5:30 p.m. | Shabbat Nosh | Circle Drive | In-Person

6:15 p.m. | Shabbat Evening Services with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Rabbi David Woznica, Cantorial Intern Lauren Blasband-Roth, and Cantorial Intern Andrew Paskil | Casden Chapel | In-Person or Watch Online

Saturday, July 20

8:45 a.m. | Spirit of Shabbat with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
| Chapel Study | In-Person and Online | Register

Experience a Beautiful Shabbat at the Beach

Join Wise and Kol Tikvah for a Shabbat like no other! Enjoy the refreshing beauty of the beach as our communities come together for a special service. Picnic blankets, chairs, and food are encouraged! A light oneg will follow services. Stay tuned for more information!

Clergy Corner

Shabbat Sermon

In this week’s sermon, Rabbi Yoshi, recently returned from Israel, gives us new insight into how even our smallest actions – good or otherwise – can have a significant impact upon ourselves, others, and the world we live in. 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:
Dorothy Hoffman, Fred Fasen

Yahrzeit List:
Bernice Alpert, Ruby Ansehl, Jennifer Anne Aron, Sam Barnett*, Farahanquiz Bassiri, Ron Bersen, Miriam Bilas, Donald Brim, Clara Carasso, Anna Cohen*, Betty Cohen, Marjorie Colbert*, Jean R. Cooper*, Louis B. Cooper*, Ida E. Cypers*, David A. Susnow M.D., Judy Daitch, Sol Ellman*, Joseph Fishman, Elaine Fond*, Jonathan Furie, Avi Efraim Gesundheit*, Donald Steward Goldberg, Susan Golden*, Elsie Greenberg*, William Haas, Mildred Hersch, Linda Holman, Ronald Kaizer, Jason Ryan Kesten, Charlotte Laksberger, Harry Leff, Carmel Levy, Jack Lewine, Rose Lewis*, Nancy Lindgren, Arnold Lipin*, Mildred C. Makowsky, Doris B. Miller*, Louis R. Morris*, Mynia Morse*, Ralph Night, Dorothy Nortman, Harry Oberman*, Edwin Perlstein*, Harry Perlstein*, David Pianko, Pearl V. Rona*, Milton Rosenberg*, Lily Rosman*, James Roth, Irving Rubin*, Rudy Rutberg*, Leonard Shapiro, Herman Sheinhaus*, Jack Sherriff*, Said Shooshani, Philip B. Shubb, Hyman Singer, Sam Snyder*, David B. Spector*, Rose Starr, Dr. David A. Susnow*, Stanley Weinstein, Linnea Weiss, Martin Woskow, Sam Woznica, Fanny Zilz, Joseph Zweiback, Celia Zylbercweig*

Simchas

NEW BIRTHS

MAZAL TOV TO
Sandy and Ted Abramson on the birth of their daughter, Hazel Jade, Our Administrative Assistant for Aaron Milken Center, Leticia Serratos, on the birth of her daughter, Ella Marie Guzman

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.

CANTOR EMMA LUTZ DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Barbara Scapa, by Eileen Kravetz
GESUNDHEIT FUND FOR MUSIC
IN MEMORY OF
Avi Gesundheit, by Jaime Gesundheit
Mildred Hersch, by Sharon and Mitchell Hersch
FUND SUPPORTING ISRAEL PROGRAMS
IN HONOR OF
Parvin Cohen, by Felice and Douglas Williams
WISE READERS TO LEADERS
IN MEMORY OF
Philip B. Shubb, by Carol and Ed Horowitz
YAHRZEIT FUND
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Clara Carasso, by Marianne Finkelstein
Elaine Fond, by Barbara Ackerman
Mildred Hersch, by Sharon and Mitchell Hersch
Ronald Kaizer, by Irene and Marvin Perer
Herman Sheinhaus, by Carol Sookman
Minnie Sloma, by Linda and Philip Greenwald
ZELDIN CHAIR
IN MEMORY OF
Barbara Scapa, by Felice and Douglas Williams


To support Wise’s efforts to strengthen and grow our community through in-person events, online programming, educational opportunities, and tikkun olam, please make a gift to our Annual Campaign.

We are deeply grateful for your commitment to Wise!