Biblical Humor
By Rabbi Ron Stern

What makes us laugh? It has been the subject of question for philosophers in ancient days, psychologists and social scientists today. Regardless of the deeper vagaries of the human proclivity to laughter, most of us don’t really worry about why we laugh, we just enjoy it when we do. One of the last places most of us would turn for a good joke is the Bible.
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VIEW OUR GUIDE TO SUNDAY’S PURIM CARNIVAL

 
Worship
 

This Week’s Torah Portion: Tetzaveh

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23
6:15 p.m. Grade 2 Shabbat Services | Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi Sari Laufer and Cantor Nathan Lam

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Saturday Morning Services and Torah Study | Plotkin Chapel
9 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Morning Service followed by potluck lunch
Led by Cantor Emma Lutz and Rabbinic Intern Bryan Zive

 

NEXT WEEK:

FRIDAY, MARCH 2
6:15 p.m. Shabbat Services and Shloshim in Memory of Rabbi Zeldin | Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Cantor Nathan Lam, and Cantor Emma Lutz
Please join us for a special Shabbat service and oneg in memory of Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3
Saturday Morning Services and Torah Study | Parenting Center
9 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Morning Service followed by potluck lunch
Led by Cantor Nathan Lam and Cantor Paul Dorman

 
Learning Opportunities with Clergy
Talmud Study with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback: Wednesday, February 28 at 12 p.m. Taub Annex
Bible Study with Rabbi Ron Stern: Monday, March 5 at 9 a.m. Temple Conference Room
 
How to Purim with Wise
 
Purim for Grown-Ups
Wednesday, February 28
7 p.m.
Celebrate the magical goofiness of Purim with happy hour cocktails, appetizers, and hors d’oeuvresataschen! (That’s actually the term, we promise. It’s from the Talmud.) Festivities will include music, dancing, food, and plenty of quality schmooze-time.
This is strictly a 21+ event. Free event. RSVP required.
RSVP HERE
 
Purim Tikkun Olam Drive
Clean out your kids’ rooms, closets, and toy chests! During the week leading up to our Purim Carnival (February 20 – 23) bins will be placed around campus to collect items benefittng local organizations helping children in need including Baby2Baby, Jewish Family Services, and more! Items needed (new or gently-used) include toys, books, and baby/toddler/kid items such as clothes, bedding, furniture, and more. Questions? Contact Jennifer Smith at [email protected].
 
 
Religious School Faculty Spiel It Up
Last Sunday, our Religious School students were treated to “Beauty and the Feast,” a Purim spiel send-up of the classic film and musical “Beauty and the Beast” starring our own Wise Religious School faculty members. Rabbi Yoshi introduced the show for our students from Kindergarten through Grade 6, welcoming them in character as Lumiere from the beloved show. What a way to get our silly Purim season started!
 
 
Celebrate Passover with Wise
 
Shabbat Morning and Passover Services
Led by Rabbi Ron Stern and Cantor Emma Lutz
Saturday, March 31
Torah Study: 9 a.m.
Services: 10 a.m.
 
Passover Second Night Seder
Saturday, March 31 at 6 p.m.
Led by Rabbi David Woznica and Cantor Emma Lutz
Celebrate one of the monumental turning points in Jewish and world history as we commemorate our liberation by God from slavery to freedom. We will journey back to our time in Egypt, make a quick stop at the Red Sea, and then… onward. Along the way, enjoy Jewish teachings and songs. We look forward to an uplifting evening of music, a special Kosher for Passover dinner catered by Cornucopia, and to creating wonderful memories together as a community.
Prices: $65 for Wise members; $75 for guests; $30 for children 12 and under
REGISTER HERE
 
Shabbat Morning and Passover Yizkor Services
Led by Rabbi David Woznica and Cantor Nathan Lam
Saturday, April 7
Torah Study: 9 a.m.
Services: 10 a.m.
 
Upcoming Events
 
Lunch Bunch: Caring for the Stranger
Tuesday, February 27 at 5 p.m. | Sanctuary Building
Help our Lunch Bunch care for the stranger by assembling lunches for residents at LA Family Housing’s valley shelter on Tuesday, February 27. Delivery of the lunches will take place on Wednesday, February 28. To RSVP for Tuesday’s food preparation or if you have questions, contact Diane Kabat at 818.981.5485.
 

Center for Jewish Life presents
A (Dys)Functional Family Album: Beneath the Surface of Biblical Relationships

with Rabbi Sari Laufer
Tuesdays, March 6, 13, 20
7:30-9 p.m.
Sibling rivalry, marital scheming, the occasional fratricide, and more—our Biblical stories offer us the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful of human relationship. Based in some familiar Bibilical narratives, and bringing rabbinic wisdom, modern psychology, and our own lived experience, we’ll explore what we can learn about being a friend, a parent, a child, a partner, and more from Jewish text and tradition.
REGISTER HERE

 
Rosh Hodesh Women’s Gathering
Wednesday, March 14 at 8:30 a.m.
Please join Wise women as we gather in learning, prayer, and community. We’ll join in song and study, creating a time and space for reflection and connection. We’ll learn more about the traditions of Rosh Hodesh. Bring a friend, bring your spirit, bring a song.
 
Soulful Shabbat
Friday, March 16
Dinner | 6:30 p.m.
Services | 8 p.m.
Soulful Shabbat is a one-of-a-kind musical service, one of Wise’s most popular traditions. Join our clergy and our Soulful Shabbat musicians and singers for a spiritual evening featuring the rhythms and melodies our members have come to love.
REGISTER FOR DINNER
 
Jewish World Watch Walk to End Genocide
Sunday, April 22, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Pan Pacific Park
Join our Wise Walks team for this annual event that brings thousands of people together to speak out and raise awareness and funds to end worldwide genocide. March with our students, parents, friends, teachers, and clergy as we stand up for the millions of people around the world who cannot stand up for themselves.
REGISTER HERE
 
 
Community Calendar
 

Nefesh B’Nefesh presents:
Aliyah Fair 2018
Sunday, March 18 | Shalhevet High School, 910 S. Fairfax
Now is your chance to learn about Aliyah, your opportunity to meet other Aliyah-minded people, and your day to explore opportunities in Israel.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER 

 
Jews United for Democracy and Justice presents
Bans, Walls and Dreamers: Immigration in America
with Senator George Mitchell

Sunday, March 18 at 7 p.m. | Leo Baeck Temple
Senator George Mitchell served for several years as Chairman of DLA Piper, now Chairman Emeritus. Before that he served as a federal judge; as Majority Leader of the United States Senate; as Chairman of peace negotiations in Northern Ireland, which resulted in an agreement that ended an historic conflict; and most recently as U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East. In 2008, Time Magazine described him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Free admission.
RSVP HERE
 
Kalsman Institute on Judaism and Health and Cedars-Sinai present
Jewish Wisdom and Wellness: A Festival of Learning

April 15 — April 29
Learn about health and wellness at this annual community-wide series of events, lectures, workshops, and experiential classes hosted by community organizations and synagogues throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. Jewish Wisdom & Wellness is intentionally multidenominational and interdisciplinary, and programs will be offered across the streams of Jewish life.
LEARN MORE 
 

Purim Sale at the Temple Gift Shop!
Make some NOISE! Purim is just around the corner. Visit the Gift Shop for Purim groggers and all your holiday needs.

 
Lifecycle • Yahrzeits

We remember with love those who died in recent days and weeks:

Sidney M. Alpert, Miriam Bick, Alex Chaplan, Richard Cohen, Norman Ira Eichberg, Helen Fineman, Annabel Goldstein, Alan Gottschalk, Fred Rosen, Cyrus Yavneh, Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin

 

We observe the yahrzeits of:

Dorothy Abrams*, Louis Barron, Oscar Ben Boxer*, Isidor Brooks*, Lester Elisco*, Fannie Feiles*, Edward G. Fogel*, Gertrude Frankel*, Robert Gans, Shirley Golden, Erwin Goldenberg, Irving Greiff*, Al Gursey*, Murray Harris*, Henry Joelson, Ruthie B. Kahn*, Louis L. Kaplan*, Michael Evan Leffler*, Gerson Levy*, Ellen Lucas, Hazel Maslan*, Dr. Isadore A. Melnick*, Barbara Mezoff, Louis Nochenson*, Claire Rose Persky, Joseph Ritter*, Bessie R. Rosen*, Sophie Rose*, Tonia Rosenblatt*, Fred Edward Rosenthal*, Harry Rosman*, Hilda Stein, Michael Steinore, Jack Wolf*, Tillie B. Wolin*, Gertrude Yavitch*, Afsaneh Yousefzadeh

*Designated on our memorial walls

 
Lifecycle • Condolences

We reach out as a community and offer our support and deepest sympathy to those among us who are mourning the loss of a loved one.

The family of founding generation member Helen Fineman on her loss.

The family of founding generation member Annabel Goldstein on her loss.

 

Lifecycle • Mazal Tov
Shehechianu Moment

Do you have a milestone birthday or anniversary approaching? We’d like to celebrate your special day on the bima during Friday evening Shabbat Services! Invite your family, join your Wise community, make it a “shehechianu moment” – a time to give thanks for life, health, and the blessings that enable you to reach this great moment in your life. Let us know by emailing Arlene Spiegelman or calling 310.889.2272 and she’ll make sure to schedule a date that works for you. We’d love to share your celebration!
 

Wishing you a future filled with joy and blessings.

Mazal tov to:

Bethany and Bryan Schwartz on the birth of their daughter Hannah Riley Schwartz. Mazal Tov to proud grandparents Jodi and Marc Schwartz.

Janet and Richard Schwartz on the birth of their daughter Rosanna Marian Schwartz. Mazal Tov to proud grandparents Jodi and Marc Schwartz.
 

 
Lifecycle • Tributes

We honor people through charitable giving.

RABBIS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:

Ethan Bina, by Janet and Eli Bina

 

CANTORS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Alex Chaplan, by Evelyn Handler

 

JOSHUA ANDREW LEVY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Sam Schiller, by Shelly and Don Levy and family

 

WISE SCHOOL GENERATIONS ENDOWMENT
IN MEMORY OF:

Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin, by Fran Morris-Rosman and Richard Rosman

 

ZELDIN CHAIR FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin, by Ayelet Tours, Ltd., Ofra and Yoram Dor, Hilda and Dan Bergher, Laurence Jaffe, Thea Ehrlich, Betty Zucker, and Donna Leskly

Larry Robbins, by Lynda Robbins

Eris Field, by Sheila Burman

 

DIENER AND KADNER FAMILIES LIBRARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Renee Bienenfeld, by Robert Bienenfeld and family

 

GALA 2018
IN HONOR OF:

Lori and Rob Goodman, by Renee Best

 

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Hilda Stein, by Amy, David, Hilary, and Annie Stein

 

LIFELONG LEARNING ENDOWMENT
IN MEMORY OF:

Jerry Esten, by Debbie and Josh Sabah

 

YAHRZEIT FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Louis Barron, by Barbara and Arnold Barron

Esther Faber, by Loretta Appel

Claire Rose Persky, by The Perskys

John J. Williams, by Felice and Doug Williams

Henry Joelson, by Yasmina, Alan, Rachel, and William Joelson

Bernice Lustgarten, by Margie Marenus

 

 
Thank You
We appreciate our wonderful volunteers:

Nosh Volunteer:
Susan Firestone

Gift Shop Volunteers:
Terrie Baumann
Rochelle Fox
Lori Rubin
Carol Sookman

 
A Welcoming Community
Have a great idea? Share it with us by submitting it to our online suggestion box.
SUGGESTIONS

Do you want to reach us? 
CONTACT LIST

Are you having a lifecycle event? Or would you like to be added to this email list? 
LET US KNOW

Would you like to get involved? Check out upcoming Temple and School events. 
VIEW CALENDAR

 
 
Stephen Wise Temple | 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive | Los Angeles, CA 90077

 
Shabbat Shalom