Eyes on Wise 3.15.18

The Breath of Schoolchildren
by Rabbi Sari Laufer
This week, my social media feeds filled with images of middle and high school students nationwide taking to the streets, marking the end of shloshim for the victims of the Parkland tragedy. First, they demanded 17 minutes of silence—one for each of the victims; then they demanded a national conversation. If you want to be a part of it, come hear two teenage survivors speak next Friday night, March 23 at Shabbat Services, and/or join us at the March for Our Lives.
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Wise Readers to Leaders Celebrates Students and Supporters
Last week Wise Readers to Leaders celebrated the most successful annual event in its seven-year history, welcoming supporters, scholars, and leaders for a retrospective and forward-looking evening. Four outstanding Junior Literacy Leaders were honored with the Teen Volunteer of the Year Award: Maddy Glick, Kyle Reims, Gwen Strasberg, and Josh Bronte. They spoke to prospective teens about their experience in the Wise Readers to Leaders program and what brings them back year after year. Two star middle school scholars who have been Wise Readers to Leaders for over 5 years spoke to the crowd about the positive impact WRTL has had on their lives. Summer 2018 is fast approaching as this imperative literacy program continues to grow and have a huge impact on the lives of hundreds of students in Los Angeles.
Follow Wise Readers to Leaders: Facebook | Instagram
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Staff Spotlight
A Tale of Two Tatis: How two Wise alums found their way home
Stephen Wise Temple and Wise School have a rich tradition of alumni returning to find employment in a variety of areas on campus. In fact, it’s a source of great pride and fairly unique in the synagogue and day school worlds. Wise educates its own next generation of educators.
But rarely does even Wise hire two alumni in the same year.
Who are about the same age.
Who attended Wise’s preschool at about the same time.
And who share a first name.
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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayikra

FRIDAY, MARCH 16
6:15 p.m. Shabbat Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel and Cantor Emma Lutz

8 p.m. Soulful Shabbat Services | Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel and Cantor Nathan Lam

SATURDAY, MARCH 17
Saturday Morning Services and Torah Study | Parenting Center
9 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Morning Service followed by potluck lunch
Led by Rabbi David Woznica and Cantor Paul Dorman

NEXT WEEK:

FRIDAY, MARCH 23
Parkland Students to Speak at Shabbat Services
6:15 p.m. Shabbat Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Nathan Lam
Please join us for a powerful Shabbat evening service where we will welcome Mia Freeman and Hayley Licata, two students from Parkland, Florida who survived February’s shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School. Mia and Hayley will share their experiences and tell their story.
Please note: some content may be troubling, especially for younger attendees. Child care is available during Shabbat services.

SATURDAY, MARCH 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 Rabbi Josh Knobel and Cantor Emma Lutz

Founder’s Day Service
Friday, March 16 at 10:30 a.m.
Each year around his birthday (March 17) the Wise community honors our namesake, Rabbi Stephen Wise, and our founding generation. It is a meaningful and educational experience for all of our students, teachers, clergy, and parents – a highlight of our calendar. This year we will also honor and remember our founder, Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin, of blessed memory. All founding generation families are invited to join us for the service in the Sanctuary, followed by lunch. To RSVP to our service and lunch please contact Lucy Harel at [email protected] or 310.889.2242.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
March 17 & 20 at 7 p.m.
March 18 at 3 p.m.
Please join us for Wise School’s performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. To purchase additional tickets, please visit https://www.showtix4u.com/ and enter Joseph in the search box. 

Newlyweds Havdalah at Rabbi Yoshi’s Home
Saturday, March 24 at 7 p.m.
Couples married in the last two years are invited to our Newlyweds Havdalah at the home of Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Jacqueline Hantgan. Enjoy a lovely evening concluding Shabbat and kicking off the week with song, prayer, great food, and great conversation. Join your Wise clergy and other recently married couples and help us make it a Shavua Tov. Please contact Lucy Harel, Director of Membership, with any questions.
RSVP HERE

West Coast Jewish Theatre and Stephen Wise Temple present
Simcha by Howard Teichman: A Staged Reading
Sunday, March 25 at 3 p.m. | Plotkin Chapel
Mike Burstyn (Azimuth, The Dybbuk) stars in this delightful play about a life-affirming journey into the world of a traveling magical storyteller who weaves his tales of Jewish folklore. Reminiscent of the well-loved stories of Sholem Aleichem, Simcha’s tales spread a pervasively modern patina over the seemingly familiar folktales.
Tickets: $25 (General Admission)
Call 323.821.2449 to purchase.

Center for Jewish Life presents
Jewish Justices of the Supreme Court: From Brandeis to Kagan
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 | 7:30 p.m.
Examine the lives, legal careers, Jewish backgrounds, and Jewish legacies of Brandeis, Cardozo, Frankfurter, Goldberg, Fortas, Bader Ginsburg, Breyer, and Kagan. Explore the appointment of Brandeis in 1916 and how that appointment began the tradition of a “Jewish seat,” the role anti-Semitism did or did not play in the lives of the Justices and Senate confirmation hearings, as well as the relationships and friendships that impacted their careers. You’ll learn their views on subjects including freedom of speech, death penalty, gender equality and more. A look at some of the most influential American Jews and how they shaped the way Americans lived and live today. Rabbi Dalin’s book Jewish Justices is now a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award.
LEARN MORE

Center for Jewish Life presents:
Classical (Siddur) Hebrew, Beginning 2
(for students who completed Beginning 1)
9 Mondays: April 16 –June 25 (No class on 5/21, 5/28)
7 – 9 p.m.
This class is for students who completed Beginning 1 or can read at a beginners level. The class focuses on improving reading skills and understanding the prayers.
REGISTER HERE

Wise to Provide Shuttle to March for Our Lives in Downtown Los Angeles
Saturday, March 24 at 9 a.m.
Shuttle departure time TBA.
Following the lead of teenagers around our nation, thousands of Angelinos will take to the streets in a show of solidarity and advocacy against gun violence. For those planning to attend, a shuttle will be provided from the Wise campus. Please contact Rabbi Ron Stern with any questions.
RSVP HERE

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 

Los Angeles Jews for Refugees Assembly
Thursday, March 22 at 6 p.m. | Temple Beth Am (1039 S. La Cienega Blvd.)
A coalition of Jewish congregations and organizations have come together with HIAS to hold a community-wide Jews For Refugees Assembly featuring an organizational fair with local and national refugee assistance organizations to connect participants to volunteer opportunities, advocacy initiatives, and other ways to take action. Bring your 10th-12th graders who will have a chance to learn from Camp Gilboa about voter registration and how to engage their peers in voter turnout. Elected officials, refugee speakers, policy experts, and community leaders will address the assembly to share policy updates, stories, ways to get involved, and more.
LEARN MORE AND RSVP HERE 

Valley Town Hall with Congressman Brad Sherman
Sunday, March 25 at 2 p.m. | Reseda High School
Join Congressman Brad Sherman for a chance to discuss the issues including healthcare, immigration issues, Veterans Affairs, the economy, Social Security and Medicare—and all the other issues facing Congress. As a public service, Wise announces all public forums being held by elected officials to discuss community concerns. Submissions can be sent to [email protected].
RSVP HERE 

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.

Marty and Evy Lutin on the loss of their daughter Carrie Lutin Scott.

Ed Prober on the loss of his son Dean Russell Prober, brother of Wendy Prober-Cohen, brother-in-law of David Cohen.

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:

Felice and Doug Williams on the birth of their grandson Luca Soheil Younesi to proud parents Rachel and Michael Younesi. Mazal Tov also to great-grandparents Marilyn and David Williams.

To our B’nai Mitzvah — may the Torah guide and inspire you every day of your adult life.
Mazal tov to:

Mahin and Faramarz Moshfegh on their son Tyler becoming Bar Mitzvah.
 

We honor people through charitable giving.

RABBIS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:

Rabbi Ron Stern, for officiating at the hanging of the mezuzah

at Stacey and Steve Rosenthal’s home and at the memorial for

Marilyn Wenzel, by Beth Ann and Irvin Katz

CANTORS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Alegra Pitson, by Miriam and Jack Pitson and family

WISE SCHOOL GENERATIONS ENDOWMENT
IN MEMORY OF:

Saltanat Dallalzadeh, by Afshin Salamati

RABBI ZELDIN RABBINIC CHAIR FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin, by Marilyn and David Williams, Shirley and Lewis Lipstone, Rhonda and Jerry Merriman, and Shirley Rosenberg

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Mel Green, by the Bird Family

Jan Kopel and Joanna Kopel, by Ruth Kalin

SHABBAT MORNING MINYAN FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Robert Lustgarten, by Margie Marenus

WISE READERS TO LEADERS FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Rita Shubb, by Carol and Ed Horowitz

Bradley Sonnenberg, by Carolyn and Ron Greitzer

YAHRZEIT FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Celia Klein, by Eleanora Goodwein

Alfred Aron Edelsohn, by Charles R. Edelsohn

Elliott Lokitz, by Sheila Lokitz

Jerome H. Levy, Jr., by Genene, Michael, Max and Lily Turndorf

Enayatola Shenassa, by Behnam and Sharona Shenassa

Ann Kowan, by Laura and Harvey Alpert

Dr. Mark L. Karp, by Doreen and Donald Nortman and family

Debbie Krasne, by Marilyn and David Williams

Ginger Kottwitz, by Lisa and Bill Sobel

Nosh Volunteer:
Susan Firestone

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

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