Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
by Rabbi Ron Stern
Judaism sets the bar high for personal responsibility. Whether it’s the ritual laws of kashrut or prayer, the demands placed on each individual Jew are neither light nor inconsequential. Many people think that Reform Judaism as an easy way to non-observance—i.e. lowering the bar. However, the fact that the onus is placed on the individual so that each person is free to opt out as well as opt in of their own free will actually requires that the choice must be informed.
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Join Us for Shabbat Services with Guests from Israel Sport Center for the Disabled
Friday, May 4 at 6:15 p.m.
Led by Rabbi David Woznica and Cantor Emma Lutz
Wise will welcome athletes Asael Shabo, Shay Barbibay, and Boaz Kramer from the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled on at a special Friday night service on May 4 at 6:15 p.m. Asael Shabo is one of Israel’s leading wheelchair basketball players and a childhood victim of a terrorist attack. Boaz Kramer, Executive Director of ISCD, was born with his disabilities and began participating in the Center’s activities at 3 years old. He holds an M.D. from Tel Aviv University and has participated in the Beijing and London Paralympics, earning a silver medal in doubles tennis. 21 year old Shay Barbibay, one of the ISCD’s rising young wheelchair basketball stars, lives with a form of Cerebral Palsy which effects his lower limbs. Shay started playing wheelchair basketball when he was 12, served as a volunteer in the IDF for two years, and is currently a student of physical education at the Wingate institute. Join us as we welcome Asael, Shay, and Boaz and hear their incredible, inspiring stories.
WATCH A VIDEO ABOUT ISCD |
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Wise Years Hits the Road: The Nethercutt Collection
Thursday, May 10 at 9 a.m.
Come along on our first ever Wise Years field trip featuring a 2-hour guided tour of The Nethercutt Collection. We will see antique, vintage and classic automobiles, perfectly restored and displayed in 2 showrooms. We’ll also hear the world’s finest collection of mechanical musical instruments and an amazing Wurlitzer pipe organ. Admission and parking are free, but reservations are required and Wise Years has made them for you. We will depart from Stephen Wise Temple by bus at 9 a.m. and return at 12:30 p.m. for lunch and a film in the afternoon. Advance registration is required.
If you prefer not to go to The Nethercutt you may spend the morning playing cards and board games in our Games Lounge at Wise.
REGISTER HERE |
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Center for Jewish Life presents
Reform Judaism: An Exploration of our Role and our Future
Thursday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Many of the greatest contributions of Reform Judaism also present its greatest challenges. It seeks to be innovative while at the same time embracing tradition. It casts a wide tent while at the same time seeking to have core beliefs. It allows for personal autonomy while at the same time desiring a community based on shared values. It holds the Torah as sacred while concurrently not holding all its teachings to be binding.
LEARN MORE |
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Worship |
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This Week’s Torah Portion: Emor
FRIDAY, MAY 4
6:15 p.m. Shabbat Services | Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi David Woznica and Cantor Emma Lutz
with special guests from the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled
SATURDAY, MAY 5
Shabbat Morning Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel and Cantor Emma Lutz
9 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service
10 a.m. Tot Shabbat Service | Witzman Court
Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel and Rabbi Sari Laufer
RSVP HERE
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NEXT WEEK:
FRIDAY, MAY 11
6:15 p.m. Shabbat Services | Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi Ron Stern and Cantor Nathan Lam
SATURDAY, MAY 12
Shabbat Morning Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Sari Laufer and Cantor Emma Lutz
9 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service
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Learning Opportunities with Clergy
Bible Study with Rabbi Ron Stern: Monday, May 7 at 9 a.m. | Temple Conference Room
Talmud Study with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback: Wednesday, May 9 at 12 p.m. | Taub Annex |
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Wise Bulletin Board |
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Wise Readers to Leaders – Calling Volunteers for Impact Day
Friday, May 11
Are you looking for a local volunteer opportunity helping under-served children? Join Wise Readers to Leaders for Impact Day in partnership with Lionsgate Entertainment on Friday May 11th for a campus beautification project at one of our partner Title I LAUSD schools in Reseda. Help paint a mural, plant a garden, participate in STEAM activities, or play some games with the students of Garden Grove Elementary. For more information and to sign up, contact Program Manager Olivia LaViolette at [email protected] |
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Center for Jewish Life presents
Learning in Your Neighborhood
Last week all members of Stephen Wise Temple received an email inviting them to a Learning in Your Neighborhood class. If you have not registered, please be sure to do so by May 7. These are great classes that are held in private homes, a wonderful way to meet fellow Wise members. Your email invitation has all the information and a registration link. If you need additional information or did not receive the initial invitation please call 310.889.2228.
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Catch some Torah on Shavuot
Saturday, May 19
On Saturday, May 19, we begin the festival of Shavuot, celebrating the gift of Torah and its teachings. Celebrate with us that night as our clergy teach around the city and right here on the Wise campus. Members can choose to study in Encino, Bel Air, or at Wise and we’ll match you up with a host and a teacher. Continue your celebration with us on Sunday, May 20. Our morning begins with a traditional Shavuot service with Yizkor in Plotkin Chapel at 9 a.m., and continues with our Wise Religious School 6th Grade Aliyah/Kindergarten Kabbalat Torah ceremony at 10:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary. All are welcome!
RSVP HERE
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Upcoming Events |
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Yom Hamoreh Celebration: Former Wise School Teachers Invited!
Friday, May 4 at 1 p.m.
Wise School will celebrate Yom Hamoreh on Friday, May 4th, by inviting past teachers back to Wise School to honor them for all of their hard work and dedication. Our students will begin the day with an assembly, followed by a luncheon for the past and current educators. If you are a former Wise School teacher, please call our office at 310.889.2300 to learn more! |
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Alumni Family Day
Sunday, May 6
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Alumni students, parents, and their families are invited to celebrate a family friendly afternoon at Wise School as we celebrate 40 year of Wise and Coach Starr’s 40 years of teaching. Event is free.
RSVP HERE |
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Center for Jewish Life presents
Jewish Spirituality & Mindfulness: Accessing Deeper Consciousness, Meaning and Joy through the Lessons of Our Tradition
with Cantor Emma Lutz
May 8 | 6:30 p.m.
“Spirituality” has been a buzzword in the American lexicon for a number of years, but the Jewish spiritual tradition runs thousands of years deep. Though the texts of our tradition, we will gain a deeper understanding of what the Jewish sages about attaining a deeper sense of spirituality and mindfulness in our everyday lives.
REGISTER HERE
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Mother’s Day Baskets Toiletry Drive
Collection until Wednesday, May 9
Packaging on Thursday, May 10
The Wise Parents Association Tikkun Olam Committee is collecting toiletries and personal care items to make gift baskets that will be donated to local and well-deserving mothers in need in time for Mother’s Day. Please collect new, unused travel-size toiletry items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, body or hand lotion, shaving cream, deodorant, basic cosmetics, small brushes or combs, hair bands, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and mouthwash. Kindly drop off your donations in the Temple Administration office by Wednesday, May 9. We hope you can join us Thursday, May 10 to help assemble these baskets together as a community with our children! Please do your part to truly make it a happy Mother’s Day for these women. For more information, contact Jennifer Smith at [email protected]. |
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Rosh Hodesh Women’s Gathering
Wednesday, May 16 at 8:30 a.m.
Please join Wise women as we gather in learning, prayer, and community to celebrate the beginning of the month of Sivan. We will usher in the holiday of Shavuot, celebrating its themes of revelation, learning, growth, and compassion. As always, we’ll join in song and study, creating a time and space for reflection and connection. Bring a friend, bring your spirit, bring a song.
RSVP HERE
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Soulful Shabbat and Confirmation: Celebrating Our Graduating Seniors
Friday, May 18
Services: 6:15 p.m.
Dinner: 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the graduating seniors in our Wise family with a Soulful Shabbat service, presentations by our Confirmands, and special blessings for any of our departing seniors. Our entire community is invited to dinner after services to help congratulate our Confirmands and graduating class. NOTE: Special service time of 6:15 p.m.
REGISTER FOR DINNER
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Kavod Corner |
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Kol HaKavod to members Lynda and Jeff Resnick who will be honored this evening, May 3, at UCLA Hillel’s annual gala to be held on the Wise campus. Kol HaKavod also to Joyce Anderson, Chair of the very special event.
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Kol HaKavod to Michelle Stone, daughter of Lynn and Les Bider, who performed magnificently at her Cantorial recital held at Wise on May 2. Michelle began this journey at the age of eight when she sang on our bima as one of Cantor Nathan Lam’s Mishorarim. |
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Community Calendar |
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The BFOR Study: Genetic Research to Save Lives
Wise is partnering with the BFOR (BRCA Founder Outreach) Study to help get the word out about some important genetic research happening in Los Angeles and other major cities around the U.S. Women and men with a BRCA gene mutation have a greater risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast, ovary, prostate and other cancers. Individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry are ten times as likely to carry a BRCA mutation as the general population. Most carriers do not even know they are at risk. Genetic testing is performed using a simple blood sample.
LEARN MORE AND PARTICIPATE
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JUNITY Jewish Music and Arts Festival
Sunday, June 3
11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. | Pershing Square Park, Downtown L.A.
Be a part of an all-day music and arts festival celebrating music, arts, and Jewish unity. Featuring over 20 major and up-and-coming musicians, painters, visual artists, and exciting speakers from the Jewish world: Zusha, Meilech Kohn, Moshav, Levi Robin, Diwon, Simple Man, EREZ, Lev King D, and many more artists to be announced!
BUY TICKETS |
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Lifecycle • Yahrzeits |
We remember with love those who died in recent days and weeks:
Charles Edelsohn, Benjamin Fair, Ernest Feld, Joan Blum-Feldman, Beatrice S. Levine, Ezra Schon
We observe the yahrzeits of:
Pauline Adler*, Lillian Bank*, Albert Barbibay*, Steven Ira Baser*, Julius Bovill*, Edith Boxer*, Emmanuel Buchinsky, David Burman*, Abraham Cohen*, Myron Barnett DuBow*, Lewis Felixson*, Albert Fineberg*, Jonathan Goldberg, Miriam Leah Goldstein*, Alfrieda Goldwyn*, William Jacobs*, Harriett Joffee, Tolya Kantor, Joseph Karp*, Mickey Katz, Fred Kaufman*, Albert Korngute*, Eva Kramer*, Gertrude Lane*, Ellen Lange*, Ida Lapidus*, Belle Latchman*, Marian Leveton*, Annie Livingstone, Kenneth Morrison, Stella P. Reiss*, Frances Sackler*, Gene Salzman, Shirley Sapiro, Sam Schneider*, Ben Siragusa, Margie Sokolow, Ruth Teicher*, Abraham Wallach*, Freda Walton*, Mickey Weiss, Eva Williams*, Louis Wilson, Lori Eisenberg Wolper, Bertha Yavitz*
*Designated on our memorial walls
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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.
Laura and David Drexler on the loss of Laura’s father Benjamin Fair.
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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!
To our B’nai Mitzvah — may the Torah guide and inspire you every day of your adult life.
Mazal tov to:
Farnoush and Ronnie Novian on their daughter Sophia becoming Bat Mitzvah.
Essi and Mahshid Tehrani on their son Matthew becoming Bar Mitzvah.
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Lifecycle • Tributes |
We honor people through charitable giving.
RABBIS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:
the wedding of our son Scott Szkolnik to Cara Siskind,
by Lesley and Fred Szkolnik
IN MEMORY OF:
Louis Wilson, by Beth and John Wilson
Dorothy Naftalin, by The Shpall Family
CANTORS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Tolya Kantor, by Marla and Michael Kantor
AVI EFRAIM GESUNDHEIT FUND FOR MUSIC
IN MEMORY OF:
Alice Handelman, by Marcie and Cliff Goldstein and family
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
IN MEMORY OF:
Freda Walton, by Lynda Robbins
RABBI ZELDIN RABBINIC CHAIR FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Charles Edelsohn and Gloria, by Shirley Kleiman
WISE SCHOOL GENERATIONS ENDOWMENT
IN HONOR OF:
Michelle Stone having her Cantorial Recital, by Janine and Rick Kolodny
Linda and Jeff Resnick being honored by UCLA Hillel, by Janine and Rick Kolodny
MELTON SCHOOL FUND
IN HONOR OF:
in honor of the marriage of Allison Berns to Michael Cohen, by Emily and Rick Corleto
SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Beatrice Levine, by Susan and Jon Berger
WISE HEARTS FUND
IN HONOR OF:
the Bat Mitzvah of Lily Turndorf, by Marian Fisher, Sylvia and Jeff Rouss, and Debra Mattivi
MAX HESS LIBRARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Bertram John Marcus, by Barbara, Joel and The Marcus Family
YAHRZEIT FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Louis M. Snyder, by Norman, Ann, Mark, Laura, Rebecca, Madeline, and Adrienne Epstein
Art Dryer, by Ellen and Andrew Kaplan
Lori Eisenberg Wolper, by Audrey Eisenberg and Jerry Eisenberg
Yetta Baggin, by Sally and Marty Levine
Gertrude Lane, by Linda and Roger Friedman
Fred Kaufman, by Jill Kaufman
Betty Polachek, by Joanne and Colin Lennard
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Thank You |
We appreciate our wonderful volunteers:
Nosh Volunteer:
Susan Firestone
Gift Shop Volunteers:
Terrie Baumann
Rochelle Fox
Lori Rubin
Carol Sookman
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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.
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Stephen Wise Temple | 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive | Los Angeles, CA 90077
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