Eyes on Wise 11.27.19

Wise Parents Association presents
Raising Self-Reliant, Resilient, and Ethical Children with Dr. Wendy Mogel
Tuesday, December 2 | 7 p.m. | S

How do we raise self-disciplined, appreciative, and resourceful children in an entitled world? Dr. Mogel will discuss how we can teach children to thrive in an over-indulged and over-protected environment. She will teach us how to turn our kids’ “worst traits into their greatest attributes”, while dispelling common myths about raising self-reliant kids. You won’t want to miss this enlightening evening with one of the foremost experts in parenting.

Wendy Mogel, Ph.D., is an international public speaker, the author of Voice Lessons for Parents, the New York Times bestseller The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, and The Blessing of a B Minus. She has made several appearances as the go-to parenting expert on The Today Show, CBS This Morning, and a number of news and magazine articles and podcasts. She lives in Los Angeles and is a practicing psychologist. 

Wise Women presents
Pre-Event Reception for Here All Along with Sarah Hurwitz
Monday, December 2 | 6:30 p.m.

Join Wise Women for a light wine and cheese reception before our Center for Jewish Life presents Sarah Hurwitz, author and former White House speechwriter. This event is free for women who are members of Stephen Wise Temple and $18 for guests.
Note: you must register for both events if you are planning to attend the Wise Women reception AND Sarah Hurwitz’s dialogue with Rabbi Woznica.

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.

Forty Years After: The Los Angeles Persian Jewish Community
Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Dr. Saba Soomekh
Identity  |  Wednesday, December 4, 2019  |  7:30 p.m.
Sexuality  |  Wednesday, January 8, 2020  |  7:30 p.m.
Culture |  Wednesday, February 19, 2020  |  7:30 p.m.

The impact of the revolution in Iran in 1979 goes well beyond the Middle East and few communities in the United States have felt that impact more than Los Angeles. The Jewish community has been forever changed by the immigration of tens of thousands of Persian Jews over the past four decades. The influence has been mutual—both communities have been transformed in exciting ways because of these larger forces.

This series explores the mutual impact of the Persian Jewish community, the broader Los Angeles Jewish community, and the City of Los Angeles.

College Student Hanukkah Gift Packing
Wednesday, December 4 | 12 p.m.

Wise parents are invited to get together for lunch and to pack Hanukkah gifts for their college kids. The event is kindly hosted by Michele Hess. Her address in Encino will be provided on RSVP.

If you have NOT already provided your college student’s current mailing address for 2019/20 and would like them to receive a package, add your child’s address here.

Wise Women presents
Mahj & More
1-5 p.m.
Wednesday, December 4
Tuesday, December 17

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. Please note game lessons will not be provided.

Pajama Havdalah
Saturday, December 7 | 4 p.m. 

Come in your Pajamas! Gather together under the stars to bid farewell to Shabbat. Our clergy and song leader will guide you through the experience with story and song, and an opportunity to make your own spice bags and art project. Get your bodies ready for the new week (and bed) with a wonderful visit from Rock Zen Roll Yoga. Recommended for kids up to age 5. Light snacks will be provided.

Two Extraordinary Stories:
Izzy Ezagui and Daniel Sahalo
in Dialogue with Rabbi David Woznica
Monday, December 9 | 7:30 p.m.

Izzy Ezagui is the only one-armed special forces sharpshooter in the world. Born in the United States, he emigrated to Israel at age 19 to serve in the Israel Defense Forces. In 2009, he sustained serious injuries in a mortar attack, losing his left arm above the elbow. He had been left-handed. After months of recovery and rehabilitation, Izzy weaned himself off heavy painkillers, got back into shape, and returned to active duty in the IDF. After military service he returned to the United States to pursue an acting career.

Daniel Sahalo was four years old when his family fled the famine and political instability of Ethiopia. For eight weeks they walked toward the border of Sudan. Barefoot and traveling only in the darkness of night, they faced gangs of thieves, starvation, bitter cold, and wild animals. Tragically, Daniel’s 23 year old sister and her toddler daughter did not survive. Ultimately the family was flown to Israel. Daniel enlisted in the prestigious IDF paratroopers 101 combat battalion.

Lunch Bunch: Caring for the Stranger
Tuesday, December 10 | 5 p.m.

Help our Lunch Bunch care for the stranger by assembling lunches for residents at LA Family Housing’s Irmas Family Campus in North Hollywood.

Museums with Mario — The Hammer Museum
Lari Pittman Retrospective
Wednesday, December 11 | 11 a.m.

The first large-scale retrospective of this prolific Los Angeles painter and long-revered teacher is a feast for the eyes.

Parking: $7 for three hours with validation

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!

Wise Years
Thursday, December 12 | Plotkin Chapel
10 a.m. | Registration Begins
10:30 a.m. | Program Begins

Dream a World Education’s Founder and Executive Director, Bunny Hull, and the first Social Action Director for Stephen Wise Temple who serves as the Foundation’s Board President​​, Diane Kabat, will discuss the work of Dream a World Education and showcase their Emmy nominated documentary short film, The Ripple Effect, which examines the struggle to keep arts alive for inner city children and reveals the power of arts education to educate the heart and impact schools and communities and the lives of those living in poverty.
Sandy Banks, Senior Fellow at the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy,​​​​​​ will share how she came to realize that her profession had shaped her in ways that could not be undone: a look at the blessings and burdens of the writing life.
Film: Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People, tells the story of Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911), a penniless immigrant who arrived in the U.S. during the Civil War. 

Soulful Shabbat
Friday, December 13  
6:30 p.m. | Dinner
8 p.m. | Shabbat Service

Our unique musical service is one of Wise’s most popular traditions that creates a spiritual evening featuring the rhythms and melodies our members have come to love.

WTY Hanukkah Party
Sunday, December 15 | 6 p.m. | Katz Family Pavilion 

Join Wise Temple Youth for a night filled with latkes and laughter! All Wise Temple Youth grades 8-12 are invited. 

Screening and Filmmaker Q&A: 12 Bends by Victor Pineda
Tuesday, December 17 
Nosh: 6:30 p.m.
Screening: 7 p.m.

In an epic personal journey, Victor Pineda, change maker, filmmaker, and world traveler pushes his physical limits and discovers the keys to a fulfilling and meaningful life. Victor has 12 bends in his body, but that is not his problem. He is unsatisfied with his decisions and embarks on a dangerous journey to India to gain new perspectives. Through three “blessings” he confronts his greatest fears and discovers that intimacy/loneliness, mortality and rebirth are all a part of life. Join Rabbi Yoshi for a special screening and Q&A with Victor.

WATCH THE TRAILER

Wise Women Rosh Hodesh and Hanukkah Gathering
Thursday, December 19 | 9 a.m.

In partnership with Sharsheret: A Jewish Breast Cancer organization, Rabbi Sari and Cantor Emma invite you to join Wise Women to celebrate Rosh Hodesh Kislev. We’ll enjoy a morning of song, spirituality, and Tikkun Olam.

Shabbanukkah
Friday, December 27 | 6:15 p.m.

When Shabbat and Hanukkah combine, the festival of lights earns some bonus illumination (not to mention a snazzy portmanteau). Gather with your Wise community for our beloved annual celebration including all of your Hanukkah favorites. Remember to bring your own hanukkiyah so that we can kindle our candles in unity.

YAD Hanukkah Celebration
For Wise 20s and 30s
Friday, December 27 
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat Services | Stephen Wise Temple
7:30 p.m. | Public School 818 | 15300 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks

Join us for Shabbanukkah services at 6:15 p.m. followed by drinks, food, and shmoozing at PS818 down the street. We hope you can join us for services and happy hour, but if you can make it to only one or the other, totally fine, too!

Tot Shabbat
Saturday, January 11
10 a.m. | Wise Woods

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!

Connect Israel presents
An Evening with Alon Ben David
Tuesday, December 10 | 7 p.m. | Milken Family Foundation, Santa Monica

The invitation of internationally-esteemed journalist Alon Ben David is a culmination of insights, inspiration, and introspection of the Connect Israel trip participants, who met with him on a recent trip to Israel. Ben David’s unique ability to create meaningful and measurable impact by articulating the geopolitical issues in the Middle East today, while leaving the politics of the left and right at the door, is almost unparalleled. This evening promises to be a rare opportunity for thought leaders in Los Angeles to widen their perspective on the most pressing issues Israel faces today.