Daily Kavanot
Writings of reflection by the Stephen Wise Temple clergy.
Each weekday morning, members of our mailing list receive the “Daily Kavanah,” which includes messages of thought, inspiration, and contemplation from our clergy, along with a schedule of events. Every Thursday, the “Daily Kavanah” turns into “Eyes on Wise,” our weekly newsletter featuring the latest news, photos, videos, stories, and tikkun olam opportunities from our community. Sign up and don’t miss out!
Daily Kavanah – Tuesday, May 25, 2021
With the recently signed ceasefire tempering hostilities between Israel and Hamas, I decided to share some thoughts this week about organizations and experiences in Israel that helped broaden my perspective about Israeli society, its relationship to its neighbors, and hopes for the future. The first step toward restoring justice within a society is identifying injustice—an act that requires honesty, bravery, and open-mindedness. Only then may we begin to address a need, however glaring. Such thoughtfulness lies at the heart of the Israel Air Force Foundation, which endeavors to make the renowned and prestigious branch of service available to all members of Israeli society. Recognizing that European Ashkenazi Jews had used service in the air force and accompanying commercial and social networks as a launching pad toward success within Israeli society for decades, the Israel Air Force Foundation provides recruitment, training, and educational programs to help interested Israeli children from underserved [...]
Daily Kavanah – Monday, May 24, 2021
With the recently signed ceasefire tempering hostilities between Israel and Hamas, I decided to share some thoughts this week about organizations and experiences in Israel that helped broaden my perspective about Israeli society, its relationship to its neighbors, and hopes for the future. One of my favorite memories of Israel comes from Ramat Gan, home to the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled (ISCD). For two years, students in our Tel Aviv twinning program journeyed there to meet with members of the Center and compete in wheelchair basketball to get a taste of some of the programs offered at the Center, which provides social and athletic experiences for children of all ages, as well as adults with Paralympic Games aspirations. Like many nonprofits in Israel, the ISCD showcases Israel’s relentless and enterprising approach to inclusion, one that finds itself expressed through a variety of nonprofits and advocacy efforts designed to [...]
Daily Kavanah – Friday, May 21, 2021
Next week I’m traveling to Omaha to visit family. I phoned my sister yesterday to make plans for our time together. She asked how I was doing and I told her that it had been a very trying few days given the frightening event that had happened a few nights ago right here in L.A. She didn’t know what I was talking about. She didn’t know because outside of Los Angeles, the event wasn’t widely reported. It sure should have been. It’s the kind of event that every American, every decent and good hearted person should hear about and decry. The realization that while much of the world seems to have a great capacity for empathy for all sorts of suffering, its concern for the suffering of our people seems rather limited. Millions of our people have been terrorised over the past few weeks in Israel (and many hundreds were [...]
Daily Kavanah – Thursday, May 20, 2021
Our Torah portion this week, Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89), contains 18 mitzvot (commandments). Each day Rabbi Woznica is choosing one of the 18 mitzvot to explore. And to the sons of Kohath he did not give, because the service of the holy things belonged unto them: they bore them upon their shoulders. (Numbers 7:9) This mitzvah was understood to mean the Levites were to transport the ark on their shoulders. The Levites, from the tribe of Levi, served in various roles in the Holy Temple. Imagine them carrying the ark with the Torah on their shoulders. Carrying weight on one’s shoulders can be seen as a responsibility, a burden, and/or a privilege. A good parent, dedicated worker, leaders, all carry weight on their shoulders. Indeed, any Jew who takes his or her religion seriously carries a weight. There is a well-known Yiddish phrase Schwer zu sein ein yid: “It’s tough to be a [...]
Daily Kavanah – Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Our Torah portion this week, Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89), contains 18 mitzvot (commandments). Each day Rabbi Woznica is choosing one of the 18 mitzvot to explore. God spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the Israelites: When a man or woman commits any wrong toward a fellow man, thus breaking faith with Adonai, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess the wrong he has done. (Numbers 5:5-7) This mitzvah, to repent and to confess wrongdoings, is embedded in our tradition. Rebbe Eliezer teaches “Repent one day before your death.” Yet, as the Talmud points out (Shabbat 153a) since one never knows their last day, we should be in the process of teshuva (repentance) every day. Judaism appreciates the importance of regularly reflecting on our actions. So, take a few moments every day to do so. When we engage in the process of teshuva (acknowledging our sins and making recompense) we bring ourselves closer to God [...]