Eyes on Wise 10/31/19

Getty Fire Update: Todah Rabbah

With tremendous gratitude, Wise wishes to acknowledge the hard work (and long hours!) of key staff members from our operations, maintenance, and security departments during the Getty Fire situation this week. These dedicated teammates arrived on campus pre-dawn on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to ensure our campus was secure and prepared in case of evacuation. They also monitored news about the fire situation and provided key updates that helped our entire Wise community stay safe and informed. Todah Rabbah to our security and maintenance teams! In particular we wish to thank Marc Entous, Jackie DeFede, and Will Pernell for their tireless efforts.

Tot Shabbat and Baby Playdate
Saturday, November 2
Baby Playdate | 9 a.m. | Parenting Center
Tot Shabbat | 10 a.m. | Plotkin Chapel

Babies and their parents are invited to join us for a special Baby Playdate with Rabbi Sari. Come eat, meet and celebrate/commiserate the joys of parenthood! Families are welcome to stay and join us for Tot Shabbat afterwards starting at 10 a.m.
Gather together with our community for a festive Tot Shabbat service! Our Clergy and song leaders lead our music and story-filled service that introduces the youngest members of our community to the joy of Shabbat. Parents and grandparents will love it too!

Wise Women presents
The Joy of Challah 2.0 
Sunday, November 3 | 10:30 a.m.

Back by popular demand! Women in our community—members and guests—are again invited to enjoy a morning of brunch, bubbly, and (different kinds of) braiding, before heading home with your own challah to bake. Bring your mom, sister, cousin, and BFF to our second annual Challah Bake!

WTY presents
Friendsgiving! Give thanks, get WTY!
Sunday, November 3 | 6 p.m.

Wise Temple Youth, grades 8-12, are invited to get in the spirit for appreciation and helping others as Thanksgiving approaches.

Center for Jewish Life presents
The Supreme Court: Crucial Cases of the Past, Present, and Future
with Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and Professor Laurie Levenson
Monday, November 4 | 7:30 p.m.

Two extraordinary legal minds share their thoughts on what they see as the most important issues of the Supreme Court. Through a Jewish lens they will consider previous cases, current cases, and what will likely be future cases that the highest court in the United States will adjudicate including abortion rights, affirmative action, the death penalty, LGBTQ+ rights, gun rights, separation of church and state, and voting rights.
Erwin Chemerinsky is the Dean of Berkeley Law at University of California at Berkeley and is the Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law. He was founding Dean and Distinguished Professor of Law at University of California, Irvine School of Law with a joint appointment in Political Science.
Laurie L. Levenson is Professor of Law and David W. Burcham Chair in Ethical Advocacy at Loyola Law School of Los Angeles. She is Attorney Representative to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She is a Board Member of UCLA Hillel Council.

Center for Jewish Life presents
Homeland: Four Ways of Understanding Israel’s West Side
with Rabbi Josh Knobel
Tuesdays, November 5, 12, 19, 26 | 7:30 p.m.

This eye-opening course offers to transform how its students look at modern Israel. Newly updated, the class will provide an introduction to the western region of modern Israel, which is alternately referred to as the West Bank, Samaria, and Palestine. Together, students will examine four different histories of Western Israel recorded by the Religious Settler Movement, the Palestinians, Israeli Conservatives, and Israeli Doves—exploring many ideologies at stake in modern Israeli and Palestinian politics.

Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Informational Meeting
Tuesday, November 5 | 7 p.m. 

When a Jew reaches the age of 13, she or he becomes a bat or bar mitzvah, literally a “daughter” or “son” of the commandments. Some, however, did not have the opportunity or privilege at 13 to be formally called to the Torah. Becoming a bat or bar mitzvah as an adult gives one the opportunity to seize a special moment in life. Many choose to mark a special anniversary or to honor the memory of a loved one by becoming an adult b’nai mitzvah. Connect with a group of learners by becoming part of our adult b’nai mitzvah program. After the initial informational meeting, studies will begin in spring 2020 and will culminate with a Shabbat service led by the cohort in late 2020. 
Please contact Cantor Emma Lutz by email at [email protected] or by phone at 310.889.2270 to learn more.

Wise Guys Night In
Tuesday, November 12 | 7 p.m.

Rabbi Ron Stern and Wise Guys will celebrate a post-holiday “night in” to gather for meaningful camaraderie, good food, and even better drinks. We’ll enjoy each other’s company as we discuss what it takes to be successful as a Jewish man, citizen, husband, or father in 21^st Century Los Angeles. This is a great time for some values exploration, re-setting of priorities, and reaffirming what’s important in our lives.

Museums with Mario — Annenberg Space for Photography
W|ALLS: Defend, Divide, and the Divine
Wednesday, November 13 | 11 a.m.

This exhibition examines the historical use and artistic treatment of walls over centuries. It is political, emotional, and aesthetic.

Admission fees may apply.
Parking: $4.50 for three hours with validation

Wise Women presents
Mahj & More
Wednesday, November 13 | 1 p.m.

Members and guests are invited to join other Wise Women every month for open play Mah Jongg, Canasta, Bridge, or any other game you’d like. Groups or single players and all levels (beginners to experts) welcome and encouraged! If you have a Mah Jongg set, please bring it along. Snacks and light refreshments will be served.

This is a free event for members and guests, RSVPs are kindly requested.

Soulful Shabbat Dinner with Guests from ISCD
Friday, November 15 | 6:30 p.m.

Athletes Asael Shabo and Ido Shkuri from Israel Sport Center for the Disabled, will join us at Soulful Shabbat dinner to meet and greet our congregants.

Champions for Life Wheelchair Basketball Exhibition and Experience
Sunday, November 17 | 1:30 p.m. | Katz Family Pavilion

Meet incredible athletes from Israel and learn about the important work of ISCD, which provides hope for 2,500 children and adults with disabilities. This exhibition featuring athletes Asael Shabo and Ido Shkuri will showcase dynamic athleticism and teach all about the inspiring programs and mission of ISCD.
Learn more at AFISCD.org.

Wise School Students vs. Faculty Basketball Game
Sunday, November 17 | 3:30 p.m. | Katz Family Pavilion

Cheer on our Wise School students in the 2^nd annual Students vs. Faculty Basketball Game benefiting Israel Sport Center for the Disabled! Our Wildcats will team up and try to do their best against the fierce faculty and staff of Wise School, all in an effort to raise money for our partners at ISCD to purchase new high-performance wheelchairs for their incredible athletes.

Soulful Shabbat and Yo-neg Celebrating Rabbi Yoshi’s 50th Birthday
Friday, November 15  
6:30 p.m. | Dinner
8 p.m. | Shabbat Service

We will welcome special guest speaker Jonathan Ornstein, Executive Director of JCC Krakow. After services, join your community for a special Yo-neg dessert reception in celebration of Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback’s 50^th birthday. Have a slice of cake with us!

Wise Women presents
Mahj & More
Tuesday, November 19 | 1 p.m.

Members and guests are invited to join other Wise Women every month for open play Mah Jongg, Canasta, Bridge, or any other game you’d like. Groups or single players and all levels (beginners to experts) welcome and encouraged! If you have a Mah Jongg set, please bring it along. Snacks and light refreshments will be served.

This is a free event for members and guests, RSVPs are kindly requested.

Wise Years
Thursday, November 21 | Plotkin Chapel
10 a.m. | Registration Begins
10:30 a.m. | Program Begins

Southern California-based journalist and writer, Nancie Clare, will discuss her book, The Battle for Beverly Hills: A City’s Independence and the Birth of Celebrity Politics, that tells a fascinating episode of local history. Rabbi Laura Geller, Rabbi Emerita of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, co-founder of Chai Village LA, and co-author of Getting Good at Getting Older, will share her perspective on how might new Jewish rituals for a new age not only transform individuals but also our community and its views about growing older. Film: Monsieur Lazhar, Best Foreign Language Film Oscar nominee, tells the poignant story of a Montreal middle school class shaken by the death of their well-liked teacher.

Center for Youth Engagement presents
WTY Battle Royal
Sunday, November 24 | 6 p,m,

Join WTY for a laser tag showdown on campus. Wise Temple Youth grades 8-12 are invited to join!

Wise Jams
Tuesday, November 26 | 7:30 p.m.

Please join us for a night of music at Wise Jams with Rabbi Yoshi, David Kates, and fellow musicians from the Wise community. Are you an ace on the bass? Get your kicks on the sticks? Bring your axe, your sax, your vox, and your chops. We’ll supply the mics, amps, sheet music, and a rockin’ good time!

Center for Jewish Life presents
Here All Along with Sara Hurwitz
Monday, December 2 | 7:30 p.m.

From 2009 to 2017 Sarah Hurwitz served as a White House speechwriter, first for President Barack Obama and then as the chief speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama. Hurwitz worked with Mrs. Obama to craft a number of widely acclaimed addresses including her 2012 and 2016 Democratic National Convention speeches. Sarah was also chief speechwriter for Senator Hillary Clinton from early 2007 until her concession in 2008.

At the age of 36, Sarah took an introductory class on Judaism, attending on a whim. On the road, she found beauty in the rituals, guidance on living an ethical life, a deeper understanding of God—well beyond anything she had learned in Hebrew school. This initiated a multi-year journey meeting with rabbis, attending meditation retreats, sitting at Shabbat tables of Orthodox families, and the reading of many books on Judaism.

URJ Biennial
Chicago | December 11-15, 2019

Join your Wise clergy, staff, and lay leaders as together we connect with thousands of Reform Jews from across North America and around the world to learn, pray, share ideas, dance, and sing. The list of inspiring speakers includes author and President Obama’s speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz (an upcoming Center for Jewish Life guest), URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs, Rabbi David Saperstein, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jodi Kantor, and many, many more!

The Polyphony Foundation presents
Bridging the Divide: Polyphony Quartet in Concert and Conversation
Thursday, November 14 | 7 p.m. | Pico Union Project (1153 Valencia St., Downtown)

The Polyphony Foundation aims to bridge the divide between Arab and Jewish communities in Israel through music and to serve as a worldwide model for cooperation based on cultural exchange, dialogue, and partnership. The Polyphony Quartet is comprised of violinists Yamen Saadi and Edi Kotlyar, violist Yuval Yatzkin, and cellist Mahdi Saadi. Together, they represent years of individual study at the Polyphony Conservatory and shared music making in Polyphony’s programs. The program will include Schubert’s String Quartet No. 13 in A minor (Rosamunde Quartet), as well as a full string quartet by an Israeli composer inspired by traditional Arab folk music, and a number of Arab folk tunes arranged for string quartet. Following the music, Co-Founder and Director Nabeel Abboud Ashkar and the musicians will answer questions from the audience.
Tickets are free but registration is required.

American Jewish Committee Los Angeles presents
Ira E. Yellin Community Leadership Award Celebration
Sunday, November 24 | 1 p.m. | Stephen Wise Temple

Wise members Julie and Steve Bram will be presented with the Ira E. Yellin Community Leadership Award by AJC at a special brunch reception. This distinguished award salutes the accomplishments of Los Angeles outstanding leaders from all walks of life: civic, community, business and political, who have made Los Angeles a better place.