Eyes on Wise 12.19.19

Project Moses Launches in Los Angeles

Project Moses, a leadership program designed to empower Jews with disabilities, is launching in Los Angeles and Wise is excited to assist the program in seeking inspired candidates. Participants will be talented people who may have mobility, vision, hearing, mental health, or any other disability and are seeking ways to make meaningful change in the world. Project Moses defines their leaders as Jews with disabilities who have a passion for Jewish leadership and who are adults of any age whose collegiate level academic achievement or equivalent professional, vocational, or volunteer experience already has given them meaningful skills. There are many ways to support this important program and we encourage all who are interested to learn more and apply.

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!

Forty Years After: The Los Angeles Persian Jewish Community
Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Dr. Saba Soomekh
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.

Wise Years
Thursday, January 9 | Plotkin Chapel
10 a.m. | Registration Begins
10:30 a.m. | Program Begins

Join us as Dr. Uri Herscher (former Executive Vice President and Dean of Faculty at the Hebrew Union College and Founder and President of the Skirball Cultural Center) and Rabbi Eli Herscher (Senior Rabbi Emeritus of Stephen Wise Temple) engage in a conversation of how autobiography influenced the lives of two brothers, shaping their visions and values, as well as passions. Their story is a microcosm of the two most important Jewish historical events of the past 2000 years and, at the same time, the most deeply personal of stories, one that ultimately unfolds on the mountaintop that holds Stephen Wise Temple and Skirball.
The League of Women Voters of Los Angeles speaker will ease you into the new voting system that will be introduced to Los Angeles County in March 2020. This timely presentation will provide information you’ll need to know to vote with the new electronic system. We will also learn how the 2020 US Census will be conducted by phone, by mail or on-line. We’ll find out why “on-line” is preferable.
Film: The Cakemaker, tells the story of Thomas, a young German baker and Oren, an Israeli married man are having a secret affair. When Oren dies in a car crash in Israel, Thomas travels to Jerusalem seeking answers regarding his death. 

Tot Shabbat and Baby Playdate
Saturday, January 11
9 a.m. | Baby Playdate | Parenting Center
10 a.m. | Tot Shabbat | Wise Woods

Gather together with our community for a festive Tot Shabbat 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!
Babies (0-12 months) and their parents are invited to join us for a special Baby Playdate for an hour leading up to Tot Shabbat. Come eat, meet and celebrate/commiserate the joys of new parenthood!

TOT SHABBAT
BABY PLAYDATE

Wise Melton School Community Connections

Wise’s award-winning Melton School is kicking off a special three-part series for parents in our Parenting and Early Childhood Centers. Get to know six Wise rabbis for Torah learning, wine, and cheese through “Community Connections,” a program 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. 

Classes:
Clearing the Path for Others—Master Story: Eve, Adam, and the Serpent
Taught by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Rabbi Josh Knobel
Tuesday, January 14 | 7 – 9 p.m.
On the Move—Master Story: Lech Lecha, Finding Your Own Path
Taught by Rabbi Ron Stern and Rabbi Sari Laufer
Tuesday, February 11 | 7 – 9 p.m.
Healing Process—Master Story: God Visiting Abraham After Circumcision
Taught by Rabbi David Woznica and Rabbi Karen Strok
Tuesday, March 10 | 7 – 9 p.m.

If you have further questions, please contact Melton Director Rabbi Karen Strok to learn more about the program.

“Nine”
Rabbi David Woznica
Tuesdays | 6:30 p.m.
January 14, 21, 28

The Rabbis of the Talmud teach that there are nine commandments, each of which is equal to all the other commandments combined. The list will likely surprise you.  We will study them in our first class.
The Rabbis of the Talmud teach that there are nine requirements that every city should meet in order for Jews to live there. In other words, what is essential in order to create a decent society. The list too, will likely surprise you. We’ll study them in our second class.
After God, the most prominent figure in the Torah is Moses. In our final class, we will explore nine lessons from the life of Moses. In doing so, we will bring this extraordinary figure to life and to our lives.
Over the course of our studies, we will embrace 27 insights into how Judaism can make us better people and how to shape a better world.

Museums with Mario — Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
With Pleasure: Pattern and Decoration in American Art 1972–1985
Wednesday, January 15 | 1:30 p.m.

A generous survey of this groundbreaking American art movement, encompassing works in painting, sculpture, collage, ceramics, installation art, and performance documentation, With Pleasure presents color in ambitious scale!

Soulful Shabbat 
Friday, January 17
Friday, February 14
Friday, March 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.

Cantors Assembly Trip to Italy with Rabbi Yoshi and Cantor Lam
Info Session: Wednesday, January 22
Trip Intinerary: Rome | Florence | Venice: June  22 – July 2, 2020

Following his incredible concert at the Great Synagogue of Rome, Cantor Nathan Lam and the Cantors Assembly are proud to announce a musical journey through Italy in the spring of 2020. Join Rabbi Yoshi, Cantor Lam, and the many voices of the Cantors Assembly for a magical excursion to Rome, Florence, and Venice.

Introduction to Judaism
Rabbi Sari Laufer and Wise Clergy
Sundays beginning January 26, 2020 | 10 a.m.

Whether you are curious about or considering Judaism, or still looking to answer that question you’ve had since your days in religious school, Introduction to Judaism is a place to voice your questions, learn multiple perspectives, and discover what is most meaningful to you in liberal Judaism.
Open to all, this course is perfect for interfaith couples, those raising Jewish children, spiritual seekers, individuals considering conversion, and Jews who want a meaningful adult Jewish learning experience. Taught by Rabbi Sari Laufer, students will have a chance to learn from members of the Stephen Wise Temple clergy and other guest teachers while exploring holidays, lifecycle celebrations, prayer, theology, sacred texts, and much more.
Questions are encouraged and only curiosity is required.

Wise Jams
Tuesday, January 28 | 7:30 p.m.

Jam with fellow musicians and singers in our community! Are you an ace on the bass? Get your kicks on the sticks? Bring your axe, your sax, your vox, and your chops. We’ll supply the mics, amps, sheet music, and a rockin’ good time!

The Italian Jewish Tradition
Cantor Nathan Lam

Wednesdays | 7:30–9 p.m.
January 29; February 5, 19

The Italian Jewish tradition includes 2,000 years of uninterrupted history. From before the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, this community has outlasted the Roman Empire, and forged a relationship with the Vatican that has lasted for 1,700 years. The Italian Rite has its own music, not Sephardic or Ashkenazi, but unique in its own way. 40,000 Jews still live in Italy and thrive, honoring their history and the collective history of the Jewish People.

Wise Guys Men’s Ski Trip to Mammoth
Friday, March 6-8

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).