Sharing Our Stories
By Cantor Emma Lutz
Every year at this time, we have the opportunity to re-read the stories of our ancestors in the book of B’reisheet.  We learn from their struggles and mistakes and rejoice in their triumphs and successes. This sacred storytelling (and re-telling) helps us to feel less alone in our own daily struggles and life experiences.

READ MORE
 

Building A New City on the Hill
Wise was truly honored to see our brand-new Katz Family Pavilion and Shalom Garden featured on member Lisa Niver’s blog WeSaidGoTravel and in her article for the Jewish Journal. In this inspiring piece Lisa reflects on her family’s deep connection to the Wise community and recaps the festivities from Sunday, November 5.
READ MORE
FOLLOW WESAIDGOTRAVEL

 
Final Chance for Nominations to the Temple Board for 2018-19!
Are you or someone you know very involved in our Temple community? Would you like to deepen your connection with the Temple by joining our leadership team? If so, we’re calling on all of our members to submit recommendations for the 2018-2019 Board of Directors, Congregational Fund Trustees, and Officer positions. The Nominating Committee requests that all Board nominee recommendations be submitted in writing to Glenn Sonnenberg, Nominating Committee Chairperson. Please include in the subject line of your email: 2018-2019 nominations to ensure proper delivery.
 
Worship
This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayishlah

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1
6:15 p.m. Shabbat Services | Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Nathan Lam

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
Saturday Morning Services and Torah Study | Plotkin Chapel
9 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Morning Service followed by potluck lunch
Led by Rabbi David Woznica and Cantor Paul Dorman

Shesh Besh (Backgammon) | Shalom Garden
1:30 p.m. Shabbat Backgammon
with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Remi Levy, and Tanel Harunzade
RSVP HERE

NEXT WEEK:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8
5:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat
with Rabbi Joshua Knobel and special guests The BeatBuds.
REGISTER FOR DINNER

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Services | Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel and Cantor Nathan Lam

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9
Saturday Morning Services and Torah Study | Plotkin Chapel
9 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Morning Service followed by potluck lunch
Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel and Cantor Paul Dorman
 
Learning Opportunities with Clergy
Bible Study with Rabbi Ron Stern: Monday, December 4 at 9 a.m. | Temple Conference Room
Talmud Study with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback: Wednesday, December 13 at 12 p.m. | Taub Annex
 
 
 
Wise Bulletin Board
 

50 Families Need Your Support This Holiday Season
LA Family Housing helps thousands of people transition into permanent housing. We are looking for our community to make this season bright for 50 families-in-need by providing Holiday Kits filled with household goods, holiday decorations, and Ralphs/Target gift cards by December 10. Our community involvement will enable these families to more fully experience this holiday season. 
Here are the ways you can make an impact:
1. Donate funds towards Holiday Kits. Your contribution of $150 supplies a family with needed items, including household goods, holiday decorations and Ralphs/Target gift cards. UPDATE: Thanks to the generosity of Wise families, we have already collected funds to provide 15 families with Holiday Kits. With your support, we can still reach our goal of 50 kits. 
2. Donate funds towards gift cards. Your contribution of $40 or $80 will go towards the purchase of Ralphs/Target gift cards needed for Holiday Kits.
3. Sponsor a meal. Your contribution of $500 pays for a meal served by LA Family Housing during the month of December.
4. Volunteer on Sunday, December 24 from 3pm – 6pm with Cantor Emma Lutz. Join her and other members of your Wise community in preparing dinner for families at LA Family Housing.
DONATE NOW
RSVP TO VOLUNTEER
 
 
Center for Jewish Life
 
Center for Jewish Life presents:
Hollywood’s Spies: The Undercover Surveillance of Nazis in Los Angeles
Dr. Laura Rosenzweig
Monday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Hollywood’s Spies tells the long-hidden story of American Jewish Resistance to Nazism during the 1930’s and the role that Jewish Hollywood played in combating this threat to democracy.  Between 1934 and 1941, Louis B. Mayer, Jack Warner and the other Jewish executives of Hollywood secretly paid private investigators to infiltrate Nazi groups operating in Los Angeles.  For seven years, Hollywood’s spies infiltrated the German-American Bund and its nativist, Naz—influenced allies, reporting on seditious plots and collusion with the German government.  After eighty years, the story is told.
REGISTER HERE
 

AIPAC@WISE
Ambassador Ron Prosor In Dialogue with Rabbi David Woznica
Wednesday, December 6
6:45 p.m. Reception and Registration
7:15 p.m. Program
Rabbi Woznica will engage Ambassador Prosor on a wide range of topics which both unite and at times divide Israel and Jewish people outside of Israel, his thoughts about America and the international community, the inner workings of the world of diplomacy and some of his most memorable moments on the world stage.
REGISTER HERE
 

The Writings of Elie Wiesel
with Rabbi David Woznica
Tuesdays, January 9, 16, 23
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Elie Wiesel survived Auschwitz and became a witness for the six million who perished.  He was a leading international Jewish and beloved to the Jewish people. Through his books, his teaching and his speeches he reached tens of millions around the world. We will read and analyze three speeches of one of the most important Jews in modern history.
REGISTER HERE
 
 
Upcoming Events
 
Shesh Besh (Backgammon) in Shalom Garden
Saturday, December 2 at 1:30 p.m.
Join Rabbi Zweiback, Remi Levy, and Tanel Harunzade for a leisurely Shabbat afternoon of backgammon in the newest, prettiest spot on our campus!
RSVP HERE
 
Tot Shabbat
Friday, December 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Join Rabbi Joshua Knobel, Ditza, and our Wise community for an uplifting Shabbat service and enjoy a concert/sing-along with The BeatBuds, specially designed for tots. Rejoice in the invigorating spirit of Shabbat with your little ones’ favorite Shabbat songs and an uplifting artistic activity. The bagels are on us! Designed specifically for children up to age 6 but all are welcome.
REGISTER FOR DINNER
 

Wise Years

Thursday, December 14
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
Program begins at 10 a.m.

Stephen Wise Temple’s Artist-in-Resident Mario M. Muller will provide fascinating insight into the artistic process. UCLA Doctoral Student Max Daniel will discuss the rich history of the Sephardic Jewish community in Los Angeles. After a buffet lunch, enjoy a screening of the film Loving Leah (2009) or play games.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER FOR LUNCH
 
Shabbanukkah
Friday, December 15
Part Hanukkah. Part Shabbat. All awesome.
5 p.m. | Family-friendly latke nosh with music and dreidel games
6:15 p.m. | Hanukkiyot Lighting and Shabbat Services
7:30 p.m. | Dinner
REGISTER FOR DINNER
 
Wise Family Camp
Friday, January 26 – Sunday, January 28 | Camp Ramah
Unplug, recharge, and connect with us in Ojai. Take a break from the busy-ness of life, and spend quality family time with your own family and your Stephen Wise Temple family. Whether it’s a Friday night song session with Rabbi Yoshi, the ropes course, hiking with Rabbi Stern, a Havdalah dance party, or just the chance to relax with a glass of wine, a good book and good friends – Wise Family Camp is made for YOU. Parents and young children will stay in comfortable rooms and kids in grades 2 through 12 will bunk in cabins with trained and beloved Camp Wise staff. 
REGISTER NOW – spots are filling up fast!
 
Men’s Ski Trip
February 23-25, 2018
Hit the slopes with the guys of Wise! This is an incredible getaway for a limited group of Wise guys including Rabbi Yoshi and Rabbi Stern!  We spend two days enjoying the mountains and snow of Mammoth Mountain, the services of our own personal chef, Shabbat, great camaraderie and some awesome skiing.  Even if you’re not a skier, Mammoth offers great winter activities from snow-mobiling to snow-shoeing and we’ll have access to the spa and gym at the Snowcreek mountain center.
REGISTER HERE
 
Kavod Corner

Kol HaKavod to Wise member Lisa Niver, who appeared on KTLA earlier this week representing WeSaidGoTravel and discussing smart getaways for the holiday season.
WATCH VIDEO
 
Community Calendar
 
Hadag Nahash with Hanan Ben Ari
Saturday, December 2 at 8:30 p.m. | AJU Gindi Auditorium
Hadag Nahash combines funky hip-hop grooves with flavors of rock, reggae and Middle Eastern music. The best-selling hip-hop artists in Israel, they have shared a stage with superstars like The Black Eyed Peas, Cypress Hill, and Matisyahu. Hadag Nahash features a full electric band, along with turntables and samples backed by their notoriously bold frontman. Feverishly devoted to equality and civil rights, the group is the soundtrack for the Israeli struggle against corruption and racism.
Hadag Nahash will be joined by Israel’s “best new artist” for 2016 – Hanan Ben Ari!
PURCHASE TICKETS
 
Jewish Federation of Los Angeles presents
20th Anniversary of Twinning: A Celebration of Meaningful Connection
Sunday, December 10 at 4:30 p.m. | Katz Family Pavilion
The Federation’s Global Teen Twinning Program turns this year! Join hundreds of program alumni, families, and educators to celebrate Twinning’s meaningful impact on thousands of teens and their families over the past two decades — in Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, and Vilnius. 
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE
 
West Coast Jewish Theatre presents
New York Water by Sam Bobrick and directed by Howard Teichman
Playing now through December 17 | Pico Playhouse
Linda and Albert are a New York couple who have just met and feel they have been held back by the city. Follow them as they try to make a go of it in Davenport, Iowa, Los Angeles and then, no longer together, wind up meeting back in New York. This madcap journey of love stars Ross Benjamin and Bridget Flanery.
PURCHASE TICKETS
 
Get Ready for Hanukkah Temple Gift Shop!
Hanukkah is closer than you think! The gift shop has a beautiful line of vintage Hanukkiahs. Stop by to see our new collection, there is something for everybody! Need a tallit? Receive 25% off of all tallit purchases.
 
 
Lifecycle • Yahrzeits

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

Aaron Cohen, Gail Friedman, Gerald Gross, Huguette Nadjar, Arthur Siegel

We observe the yahrzeits of:

Barbara Bender*, Beverly Berlinger*, Florence S. Bloom*, Beatrice Appel Burke*, Jon Cherney*, Rose Cohen*, Albert Davis, Rose Dorfman, Sylvia Feiles*, Mary Garfinkel*, Rose Gilbert*, Mike Glick*, Harriet Hersch Glickman*, Selma Gluck*, Bernard Goldstein*, Robert Greenwald*, Donald Alan Haskin*, Monroe Jasper*, Sarah Jasper*, Maurice Kogen*, Sophie Lakin*, Marcia Lam*, Leonard Langer*, Gertrude Marantz*, Rose Marcus*, Frieda Helen Nath*, Rose L. Nochenson*, Barbara Prober, Damon Michael Ribakoff*, Harry Robinson*, Ralph Rogers*, Milton Rubin*, Richard Alan Ruderman*, Bertha S. Singer*, Sarah Sloan*, Galen Stoller*, Minnie Storch*, Dr. Jerry Tamkin, Thelma M. Tamkin*, Rose L. Teperson*, Marion Woskow*

*Designated on our memorial walls
 
Lifecycle • Condolences
We reach out as a community and offer our support and deepest sympathy to those among us who are mourning the loss of a loved one.

Lisa and Eric Mamos on the loss of Lisa’s grandmother Huguette Nadjar.
 
Lifecycle • Mazal Tov
Shehechianu Moment

Do you have a milestone birthday or anniversary approaching? We’d like to celebrate your special day on the bima during Friday evening Shabbat Services! Invite your family, join your Wise community, make it a “shehechianu moment” – a time to give thanks for life, health, and the blessings that enable you to reach this great moment in your life. Let us know by emailing Arlene Spiegelman or calling 310.889.2272 and she’ll make sure to schedule a date that works for you. We’d love to share your celebration!
 

Wishing you a future filled with joy and blessings.

Mazal tov to:

Rick and Linda Cohn on the birth of their granddaughter Elena Katherine. Mazal Tov to proud parents Danielle Cohn and Jason Brahinsky.
 

To our B’nai Mitzvah — may the Torah guide and inspire you every day of your adult life.
Mazal tov to:

 

Mark and Jody Miller on their son Riley becoming Bar Mitzvah.

Jason and Aviva Levin on their son Cole becoming Bar Mitzvah.
 
 
Lifecycle • Tributes

We honor people through charitable giving.
 

RABBIS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND

IN HONOR OF:

Rabbi Eli Herscher, by Loretta Appel

 

IN MEMORY OF:

Martin Baumann, by Terrie and Richard Baumann

Albert Davis, by Irene and Marvin Perer

 

CANTORS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND

IN MEMORY OF:

Arthur Siegel, by Debra and David Siegel and Marsha Siegel

 

JOSHUA ANDREW LEVY SCHOLARSHIP FUND

IN MEMORY OF:

Judith Kerzin, by Shelly and Donald Levy

 

READERS TO LEADERS FUND

IN MEMORY OF:

Miriam Shain, by Carol and Ed Horowitz

YAHRZEIT FUND

IN MEMORY OF:

Barbara Prober, by The Cohen and Prober Families

Maurice Cutler and Eddie Kirkbride, by Jodi and Rick Kirkbride

Monroe Jasper, by Ardythe Jasper, Neil Jasper, and Kim Burger

Sarah Jasper, by Ardythe Jasper

Jerry Tamkin and Thelma Tamkin, by Judith Tamkin
 

To make a donation in someone’s honor or in memory of a loved one, please visit wisela.org/giving.
 
Thank You
We appreciate our wonderful volunteers:
 

Nosh Volunteer:
Susan Firestone

Gift Shop Volunteers:
Terrie Baumann
Emil Cobar
Rochelle Fox
Lori Rubin
Carol Sookman
 
A Welcoming Community
Have a great idea? Share it with us by submitting it to our online suggestion box.
SUGGESTIONS

Do you want to reach us? 
CONTACT LIST

Are you having a lifecycle event? Or would you like to be added to this email list? 
LET US KNOW

Would you like to get involved? Check out upcoming Temple and School events. 
VIEW CALENDAR
 
 
Shabbat Shalom
 
Stephen Wise Temple | 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive | Los Angeles, CA 90077