Befriending the Stranger
by Rabbi Ron Stern

Each morning when I drive to work, I pass under a freeway. There, under the bridge, shivering in the early morning air is an elderly woman. Her possessions are arrayed neatly on the sidewalk around her, the tarp that she must sleep under is draped across shopping carts, and a sign reads: “Please Help.” As I drive by, usually hurrying to get to Wise for an appointment, this phrase runs through my head:

מִ‍פְּנֵי שֵׂיבָה תָּקוּם וְהָדַרְתָּ פְּנֵי זָקֵן
“You shall rise before the aged and show deference to the old.”

Recently I read about Telfair Elementary school in Pacoima. It has the largest homeless population of any school in all of LAUSD. Kids! They sleep in cars, in converted garages without plumbing, in rickety RVs, in a family member’s living room.

READ MORE
Housing the Homeless: A Five-Part Series

Thursday, January 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Monday, February 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m.
March: TBA
How is LA housing the homeless in your neighborhood? With over 50,000 homeless citizens on the streets of Los Angeles the voters of our city and county have made the decision to get a significant number of them safely housed in the next several years. Money has been allocated and plans are underway throughout the city to develop a variety of housing alternatives. Every city council district is committed to providing units. How will these decisions effect you? Wise will host a special series to answer questions that you might have about the housing options being considered.
RSVP HERE

Bar Mitzvah Profile: Aiden Weinstein

This month, we asked Aiden Weinstein to tell us all about his work with ETTA, including a movie night that he planned with help from some of his friends.The staff from Etta Israel tells us that the program was so successful that Aiden and his friends are working on planning another event! Visit our Center for Tikkun Olam B’nai Mitzvah Project Gallery to read more profiles of our B’nai Mitzvah students who make great happen through works of tikkun olam.

Aiden writes: ETTA is something truly amazing. You won’t find a program that puts so much effort into helping others anywhere else. ETTA is a Jewish organization that helps adults with special needs get support, have fun, and bond with others. I have had a great experience helping out and have made many memories. On November 11, my friends and I hosted a movie night to raise money for the clients. We raised over $200 and the money will be used to provide services for them. It was a very special night because the clients were really enjoying themselves and it felt very meaningful to support them. I will continue to do what I can for ETTA and participate in events that help these adults. For more information you can visit ETTA.org and maybe you’ll volunteer with me sometime too!
Wise Pe’ah Garden: Our Connection to Nature and the Tu B’Shevat Festival

Tu B’Shevat (or the 15th of the month of Shevat) is known as the festival of trees. These days it’s more broadly considered a festival of nature — an opportunity to be reminded of our connection to the environment and blessings that we enjoy on our earth. At Wise we’ve had a Pe’ah Garden for decades. Our own little connection with nature allows us to share its bounty with those who are less fortunate. All of our produce goes to LA Family Housing’s valley shelter. For our students, it is a space where they can better understand our food supply and perform mitzvot daily in providing healthy fresh vegetables to those in need. To protect our vegetables we will build a deer-proof covering. If you’d like to support our efforts please contact Alexandra Coatney, Wise School Science Specialist.
Summer Employment and Volunteer Opportunities with Wise Readers to Leaders

Wise Readers to Leaders, our flagship literacy program now entering its 8th year, is seeking employees and volunteers for our 2019 summer program! Here are some of the incredible ways you can make a difference:

  • Literacy Leaders (an employment opportunity for college students)
  • Junior Literacy Leaders (a volunteer opportunity for high school students)
  • Remote Reading Volunteers (junior high school and high school students)
  • Substitute Teachers (teachers on a flexible summer schedule)

If you like working with children, are interested in teaching, and want to make a difference in the life of youth from under-served districts, please learn more and apply at WiseReaderstoLeaders.org. For more information on any of our programs, please contact Melissa Schneider or Riley Runburg.

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