Eyes on Wise 1.3.19

Making Time for Torah
by Cantor Emma Lutz
“Do not say, ‘When I am free I will study,’ for perhaps you will not become free.” -Pirkei Avot 2:5
This past year alongside my clergy colleagues, I had the privilege of guiding ten adult members of our congregation through the process of becoming b’nai mitzvah. While we ask a great deal of our thirteen-year-olds during their own b’nai mitzvah process, it can be even more challenging to return (or come for the first time) to the bima after our teenage years. I am amazed at the commitment with which these ten adults tackled their learning, each one with great eagerness of spirit and deep inquiry of mind. Already devoted to career and family, these students carved out additional time each week to study Hebrew, liturgy, history, and Torah.
READ MORE

Wise School Gala Tickets, Auction Registration Now Online
Saturday, February 2, 2019 | 7 p.m.
Auction registration for the 2019 Wise School Gala are online now! Join us for an incredible evening under the Tel Aviv sky as we honor Beth and Bryan Behar, Sherly and Kami Daneshgar, and Orley and Bobby Melamed. You won’t want to miss this celebration of our school and honorees, along with cocktails, dinner, DJ, silent auction, and much more! 
BUY TICKETS AND AUCTION REGSTRATION

Nava Tehila in Concert
Saturday, January 19 | 8 p.m.
Nava Tehila is a Jerusalem-based community for Jewish renewal, dedicated to creating musical, engaging prayer spaces where people feel comfortable to come as they are. Nava Tehila’s musical spiritual leaders generate new prayer modalities, compose new music for prayer, and train Jewish leaders, including rabbis, cantors and students, in the art of musical and innovative prayer leading. Experience a taste of this incredible group of musicians and spiritual leaders at a special performance co-sponsored by our friends at Temple Beth Am. Tickets: $18
BUY TICKETS

Wise Years
Thursday, January 10
10 a.m. | Registration Begins (note new time!)
10:30 a.m. | Program Begins
Learn from Director of the USC Initiative for Israeli Arts and Humanities, Ruth Weisberg, about her experiences as a “Jewish Artist”. Then join Los Angeles Times bestselling author, Steven J. Ross, in a discussion of his book Hitler in Los Angeles: How Jews Foiled Nazi Plots Against Hollywood and America. After lunch, play games or enjoy a screening of the 2011 film David.
REGISTER HERE
Ordering lunch online is now available for January through May

This Week’s Torah Portion: Vaera

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel and Cantor Nathan Lam
Watch live on Friday night: Facebook | WiseLA.org

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5
9 a.m. | Lay-led Torah Study | Sanctuary
10 a.m. | Adult B’nai Mitzvah Shabbat Morning Services
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Emma Lutz

NEXT WEEK

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat Services | Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi David Woznica and Cantor Emma Lutz
8 p.m. | Soulful Shabbat Service | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Nathan Lam

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12
Shabbat Morning Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Emma Lutz
9 a.m. | Lay-led Torah Study
10 a.m. | Shabbat Morning Services 
10 a.m. | Tot Shabbat | Zeldin-Hershenson Hall
Led by Rabbi Sari Laufer and Rabbi Josh Knobel 

Learning Opportunities with Clergy
Bible Study with Rabbi Ron Stern: Classes will resume February 4
Talmud Study with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback: Classes will resume January 23

Center for Jewish Life presents
The Other Woman by Daniel Silva: An Exploration
with Rabbi David Woznica
Tuesdays: January 8, 15, 29 | 6:30–8 p.m.
Gabrielle Allon, the protagonist and spy in Daniel Silva’s novels, heads Israel’s international intelligence and only he can unravel the mystery at the center of this thrilling tale. Those who have read Silva before know how he masterfully weaves his mysteries while taking readers around the world. First-time readers are in for a treat as Allon battles a traitor inside Russia, protects one of Israel’s most valuable human assets, and grapples with British intelligence. In this class, readers will share thoughts about the characters while working together to unravel the mystery and, along the way, discovering Jewish messages communicated by the author.
REGISTER HERE

Mahj and More
Wednesday, January 9 | 1 p.m.
Wise members and guests are invited to join other Wise Women for open play: Mah Jongg, Canasta, Bridge, or any other game you’d like on the first Wednesday of each month. Groups or single players and all levels (beginners to experts) are welcome and encouraged! If you have a Mah Jongg set, please bring it along. Snacks and light refreshments served. This is a free event. RSVP required.
For more information on Canasta Lessons please contact Rachel Goldberg ([email protected], 310.889.2227).
RSVP HERE

NEW Online Class from Wise Melton School:
The Star and the Crescent: The Long Relationship of Judaism and Islam
Begins Wednesday, January 9
Jews and Muslims have coexisted, peacefully and and contentiously, for more than a millennium. This course will examine the longstanding relationship between Judaism and Islam, between Jews and Muslims, broadening our understanding and challenging our assumptions.
This class will be held exclusively online. Registrants will receive login information and details.
LEARN MORE

Tot Shabbat and Baby Playdate
Saturday, January 12
9 a.m. | Baby Playdate (12 months and younger!)
10 a.m. | Tot Shabbat Service
Gather together with our community for a festive 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! Special for parents with newborns, we’ll have a baby playdate for an hour leading up to Tot Shabbat.
REGISTER HERE FOR BABY PLAYDATE
REGISTER HERE FOR TOT SHABBAT

Wise Melton School presents
Community Connections: A Three-Part Series for Early Childhood Parents
Tuesdays: January 15, February 12, March 12 | 7 p.m.
Get to know six Wise rabbis in our three-session series from Wise’s award-winning Melton School. This curriculum is specially designed for parents of little ones, based on Melton’s Foundations of Jewish Family Living: Jewish Values for Parents to Share with their Children.
No homework. No grades. No tests. Just wine, cheese, friends, and Torah.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
Questions? Contact Wise Melton School Director Rabbi Karen Strok.

Rosh Hodesh Women’s Gathering
Wednesday, January 16 | 8:30 a.m.
Join us to celebrate Rosh Hodesh, a beautiful experience for women by women filled with Torah, poetry, song, love, community, and friendship. Please feel free to bring a friend and include in your RSVP.
RSVP HERE

Lam Music and Media Center presents
Nava Tehila in Concert
Saturday, January 19 | 8 p.m.
Nava Tehila is a Jerusalem-based community for Jewish renewal, dedicating to creating musical, engaging prayer spaces where people feel comfortable to come as they are. Nava Tehila’s musical spiritual leaders generate new prayer modalities, compose new music for prayer, and train Jewish leaders, including rabbis, cantors and students, in the art of musical and innovative prayer leading. Experience a taste of this incredible group of musicians and spiritual leaders at a special performance co-sponsored by our friends at Temple Beth Am.
Tickets: $18
BUY TICKETS 

Center for Jewish Life presents
Museums with Mario
LACMA
Tuesday, January 22 | 1:30–3 p.m.
Mario will select five pieces on exhibit and drill deep into the desire for “aesthetic arrest.”
Cost (does not include admission):
$15: Stephen Wise Temple Members
$20: General Public
Museum Admission: $18: payable upon entry to the museum
Parking $15 per car
REGISTER HERE

Center for Jewish Life presents
Caring for our Elders—And Ourselves: The Status of Senior Care in our Society
with Molly Forrest
Monday, January 28 | 7:30 p.m.
The gift of aging comes with a new set of challenges that most of us will face in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones. Almost all are unprepared. As our parents and others age, some are in need of care beyond what we can provide. What are the options for our loved ones to continue to stay at home? If it is their preference, is it necessarily wise for them to stay in their homes? What about home caregiving? Should we invite our elderly or infirm parents to live with us? If they are to live outside their home, how do we go about choosing the best facility for them to live out their years? What are the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing long-term care insurance policies for ourselves and our loved ones? What role do Medicare and Medicaid play in our decision?
Molly Forrest is CEO-President of the L.A. Jewish Home, the largest non-profit elderly continuing care community in the Western United States. She oversees an annual budget of $140 million that provides care to 4000 seniors. With 46 years spent in senior services, Ms. Forrest has worked in governmental and for-profit agencies and, for the last 22 years, at the L.A. Jewish Home.
$15: Stephen Wise Temple Members
$20: General Public
REGISTER HERE

Center for Tikkun Olam presents
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.
LEARN MORE AND RSVP

Wise School Gala: TLV > WISE 
Saturday, February 2  | 7 p.m.
Tickets to the 2019 Wise School Gala are on sale now! Join us for an incredible evening under the Tel Aviv sky as we honor Beth and Bryan Behar, Sherly and Kami Daneshgar, and Orley and Bobby Melamed. You won’t want to miss this celebration of our school and honorees, along with cocktails, dinner, DJ, silent auction, and much more! 
BUY TICKETS AND SPONSORSHIPS

Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER
Tuesday, February 12  | 12:30 p.m.
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the first-ever retrospective about the famed associate justice and American cultural icon. It offers a visually rich, entertaining, yet rigorous look at RBG’s life and work. Woven throughout the exhibition are excerpts of briefs and other writings by RBG, including some of her most famously searing dissents. In addition, the exhibition also brings to light how her childhood, teachers and professors led her to pursue the law and be so committed to the nation’s highest ideals.
Join Wise Women for lunch, followed by a private group tour at the Skirball Cultural Center.
Cost: $36 for Wise Members, includes lunch, admission and group tour. 
This event is for Wise Members only. Unfortunately we cannot offer refunds once registered. 
Event is currently full, yet we are taking names for a waitlist should additional openings become available.  
RSVP HERE 

Wise Guys Men’s Ski Trip to Mammoth
Friday, March 29 – 31 
Join Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Rabbi Ron Stern on the Wise Guys men’s trip to Mammoth Mountain. Winter sports, camaraderie, good food, Shabbat! Cost of the trip includes lodging, two catered dinners, snacks, some wine, and self-prepared breakfasts (lift tickets not included). 
REGISTER HERE

We remember with love those who died in recent days and weeks:

Joseph Frederick III, Darren Neishuler, Edwin Praver

We observe the yahrzeits of:

Abram Aaron Adler*, Molly Alpert*, Ronny Assia*, Sol Babbush*, Rhoda R. Bergman*, Rose Berr*, Israel Noah Berrin*, Solomon Edward Berrin*, Herman Blumenfeld*, Charles Capel*, Ezra Cohen-Sitt, Glenn Howard Cooper*, Sylvia Crasnick*, Maurice Cutler*, Mauricio de Castro*, Donald M. De Witt*, Jim Deutsch, Jules Dorfman*, Fred Ehrlich*, Frieda Elisco*, Faulkner Epstein*, Sunny Familian*, Ida Feigenbaum*, Harry Fisher*, Irving Franklin*, Charles  Glick*, Blanche Golden, Morris N. Goldstein*, Geri Ontman Graves*, Gloria Gurian, Jean Haas, Otto Herskovic*, Lloyd Isaacs, Toby Kassan, Alfred Katz, William Kimmel*, Eddie Kirkbride, Regina Klein*, Phillip Kramer*, Cecelia Lamberg*, Margaret Lansing*, Aviva H. Lefitz *, Jerry Leigh, Alexander Livingstone, Craig Irwin Markus*, Dr. Martin Meltzner, Louis Mertzel*, Carl Nemerouf*, Sara Dorothy Robbins*, Harold J. Rosen, Esther Samuels, Sara Perlman Schori*, Edwin Jessel Sekler*, Mollie Shore*, Gail Silver, Louis Singer*, Frances Sniderman, Burth Sprecher*, Jack Stern, Lily Ullman*, Sally Warshawsky*, Betty Williams

*Designated on our memorial walls

We honor our loved ones, our family simchas, and our communal losses through charitable giving. To give in honor or in memory of a cherished family member or dear friend, please visit WiseLA.org/Giving.

RABBI YOSHI ZWEIBACK DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Jean Haas, by Annie and Ted Haas
Dr. Martin Meltzner, by Laurie and Ron Resch & Family
Darren Neishuler, by Bobbi and Peter Feinstein
 

RABBI RON STERN DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Rabbi Stern, by Beth and John Wilson

CANTOR NATHAN LAM DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Jim Deutsch, by Judy Deutsch & Family
Herman Blumenfeld, by Miriam and Jack Pitson & Family
 

CANTOR EMMA LUTZ DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Jim Deutsch, by Judy Deutsch & Family

LAM MEDIA CENTER FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Cantor Lam, for his wonderful work throughout the year, by Richard Laurence and Sheila Burman
 

SOCIAL JUSTICE
IN HONOR OF:
Nancy Satenberg’s bat mitzvah, by Lois and Fred Goldberg

IN MEMORY OF:
Gail Silver, by Lee Silver

KASSAN FAMILY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Toby Kassan, by Ronnie and Michael Kassan

METUKA BENJAMIN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Phil Sniderman’s 2nd bar mitzvah, by Jerry Otelsberg and Lori Rubin

LIFELONG LEARNING ENDOWMENT / CENTER FOR JEWISH LIFE – ANNUAL FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Nancy Satenberg’s bat mitzvah, by Karen, Brad, Charlie and Abby Satenberg
Nancy Satenberg’s bat mitzvah, by Mike Satenberg
Nancy Satenberg’s bat mitzvah, by Leslie, Andrew, Chloe, Gavin and Brody Satenberg

IN MEMORY OF:
Dorothy Singer Simon and Samuel M. Golden, by Patti and Roger Golden

JOSHUA A. LEVY SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Shelly and Don Levy, on their vow renewal, by Patty Ogden
Shelly and Don Levy, on their 25th anniversary, by Elaine and Edward Stone

WISE READERS TO LEADERS
IN HONOR OF:
Phil Sniderman’s 2nd bar mitzvah, by Carol and Ed Horowitz

IN MEMORY OF:
Bradley Sonnenberg, by Susan and Jon Brandler

DOUGLAS NUSBAUM MEMORIAL FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Irving Ginsburg, by Karen Nusbaum

IN MEMORY OF:
Davene Ginsburg and Douglas Nusbaum, by Karen Nusbaum

HOMES FOR HEROES
IN HONOR OF:
Shelly and Don Levy’s vow renewal, by Sharon Spira-Cushnir and Andrew Cushnir

WISE SCHOOL GENERATIONS ENDOWMENT
IN HONOR OF:
Nancy Satenberg’s bat mitzvah, by Dan Pondella

GENERAL CLERGY DONATION
IN MEMORY OF:
Maurice Cutler and Eddie Kirkbride, by Jodi and Rick Kirkbride

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN – 18/19
IN HONOR OF:
Rabbi Zweiback’s leadership and Rabbi Herscher’s legacy, by Jim and Marlene Astman

YAHRZEIT FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Harry Fisher and Regina Klein, by Beatrice Fisher & Family
Lucille V. Kurtin, by The Kurtin-Steinberg Family
Craig Irwin Markus, by The Markus-May Family
Glenn Howard Cooper, by Sheryl, Morgan and Sara Cooper
Betty Williams and Alexander Livingstone, by Sunny Caine
Jack Stern, by Charles and Terri Jo Stern
Jerry Leigh, by Barbara, Andrew, Jessica and Elisabeth Leigh

We appreciate our wonderful volunteers:

Center for Jewish Life Volunteers:
Susan Firestone
Freda Moscowitz
Barbara Sampson
Tammy Steinman

Nosh Volunteer:
Susan Firestone

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

Do you want to reach us? 
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Would you like to get involved? Check out upcoming Temple and School events. 
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