| |
|
.    
|
| |
|
Appreciating Difference: Wise Embraces Jewish Disability, Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month
by Rabbi Sari Laufer
I saw a question making its way around the internet in the last few weeks—asking people: If you currently held the job that you wanted when you were five years old, what would you be? Apparently, our world would have a lot more firefighters, paleontologists, astronauts, and mermaid ballerinas than it actually does.
In our Torah portion this week, Moses leads the people Israel through the Sea of Reeds. With an outstretched arm, he confidently guides them to freedom—and then, with pride and joy, leads them in song. While I cannot say for certain, this is probably not the role that Moses imagined for himself when he was five…or even fifteen. When God first asks Moses to be the Divine emissary, Moses says he cannot “for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Whether a stutter, a speech impediment, a different learning style, or something else, our Torah makes clear that Moses sees himself as someone with a disability—it shapes the way he sees the world and sees himself, but it does not hold him back from becoming the leader he is meant to become.
|
|
 |
| |
|
Wise Gala Spotlight: Honorees Jodie and Steve Fishman, Andrea and Glenn Sonnenberg
Presidents of the board. CEO of Wise Readers to Leaders. Co-chair of Wise Women. These are just a few of the titles that Andrea and Glenn Sonnenberg and Jodie and Steve Fishman have collectively assumed over their decades as members of Stephen Wise Temple. Together, they embody Wise’s mission to make meaning and change the world, spearheading causes benefiting the Wise community and beyond.
In the process of helping others, they have fostered something much more precious—a community of family and friends.
Be sure to join us on February 22 as Stephen Wise Temple honors the Sonnenbergs and the Fishmans for their deep commitment to service and community—and for showing us how far a little good can go.
GALA TICKETS AND SPONSORSHIPS
|
| |
 |
| |
|
 |
| |
 |
| |
|
Center for Jewish Life presents
The Words of My Father: Yousef Bashir in Dialogue
with Rabbi David Woznica
Tuesday, February 18 | 7:30 p.m.
“[The Words of My Father] is captivating. Full of youthful exuberance, unlikely adventures, and raw discovery.” —The New Yorker
Yousef Bashir is a Palestinian-American from the Gaza Strip, the son of Khalil Bashir, a highly respected educator. Still suffering the effects of a near catastrophic injury at the hands of an anonymous IDF soldier, Yousef made his way to the United States where he became an accomplished author, a vigorous advocate of Israeli-Palestinian peace, and much sought-after public speaker. Hear his incredible life story as he sits down with Rabbi Woznica for an inspiring dialogue.
READ THE NEW YORK TIMES PROFILE OF YOUSEF BASHIR
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
World Zionist Congress Elections: How to Vote for Rabbi Yoshi and ARZA
Every five years, Jews from around the world get to vote in the World Zionist Organization’s Congressional Elections. Rabbi Yoshi is on the ARZA slate to represent our community and the international Reform Jewish community—your vote can send him to the Congress in October. Voting is simple: watch the video with step-by-step instructions on how to make your voice and the voice of the Reform Jewish community heard, then follow the link below to cast your vote.
WATCH VIDEO
VOTE NOW!
|
|
| |
|
 |
| |
|
This Week’s Torah Portion: B’shalach
Friday, February 7
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi David Woznica and Cantor Nathan Lam
Sermon Topic: From the Life of Moses: Five Lessons For our Lives
Saturday, February 8
9 a.m. | Torah Study | Chapel Study
10 a.m. | Shabbat Morning Services | Sanctuary
Led by Rabbinic Intern Megan Brumer and Cantor Paul Dorman
Watch live on Friday night: Facebook | WiseLA.org
Monday, February 10
9 a.m. | Bible Study with Rabbi Ron Stern | Conference Room
Wednesday, February 12
12 p.m. | Talmud Study with Cantor Nathan Lam | Udko Annex
Friday, February 14
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat Services | Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Rabbi Ron Stern, and Cantorial Soloist Josh Goldberg
8 p.m. | Soulful Shabbat | Plotking Chapel
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Rabbi Ron Stern, and Cantor Nathan Lam
Saturday, February 15
9 a.m. | Torah Study | Chapel Study
10 a.m. | Shabbat Morning Services (B’nai Mitzvah Celebration)| Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel and Cantor Nathan Lam
|
|
|
| |
 |
| |
|
 Wise Walking Group
Sunday, February 9 | 10:30 a.m. | Placerita Canyon Park
Join our intrepid Wise Walking Group as they visit different picturesque and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods all over Los Angeles! The group meets monthly on Sunday mornings for exercise, conversation, and community while enjoying Southern California’s natural beauty and historic areas. This month the group will return to an old favorite, Placerita Canyon Park, which features multiple trails, a small museum, and a lovely atmosphere.
PLEASE RSVP BY THURSDAY TO SHIRLEY SNIDERMAN
|
|
|
 Wise School Climate Change Museum
Monday, February 10 | Exhibit: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wise School is creating a Climate Change museum for students and visitors to explore following the annual Tu B’Shevat Assembly at 8 a.m. The museum will be open in the Tyberg Arts and Innovation Lab and Project Studio and will include interactive exhibits such as Green Space Prototype, an Irrigation Model, hands-on hydroponic planting activities, theatrical presentations, and much more. Let Wise School students guide you through the ways our Earth is changing and what we can all do to help preserve our environment.
|
|
|
 Center for Jewish Life presents
Museums with Mario — Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden
Wednesday, February 12 | 1:30 p.m.
This excursion will consist of a curated conversation during a 1.5-mile walk through the Westwood campus of UCLA.
|
|
|
 Wise Years
Thursday, February 13 | Plotkin Chapel
10 a.m. | Registration Begins
10:30 a.m. | Program Begins
Join us as Dr. Raphael J. Sonenshein; the Executive Director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at CSU Los Angeles; former Chair of the Division of Politics, Administration, and Justice at CSU Fullerton; and author of three books on Los Angeles politics and government shares his insights into the political scene.
Alex and Gina Canter are 4th Generation Canter’s family members. They have collected more than 100 stories from the famed LA deli’s patrons and employees, capturing their experiences and memories at Canter’s since it first opened nearly 90 years ago. Gina Canter’s beautiful illustrations celebrate both the place and its patrons, as voices from the past join the present to demonstrate that nostalgia can be very much alive.
Movie: The Farewell —In this funny and heartfelt story, Billi’s (played by Awkwafina) family returns to China under the guise of a fake wedding to stealthily say goodbye to their beloved matriarch—the only person that doesn’t know she only has a few weeks to live.
|
|
|
 Soulful Shabbat
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.
REGISTER FOR DINNER
|
|
|
 Lunch Bunch: Caring for the Stranger
Tuesday, February 18 | 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.
|
|
|
 #UsToo: New Perspectives on Gender and Power in the Jewish Community
with Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi
Friday, February 21 | 6:15 p.m.
Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi is a well-known thought leader, institutional builder, strategic innovator, published author and public speaker. She currently serves as a senior fellow at the Kaplan Center for Jewish Peoplehood. Most recently, Rabbi Sabath led a four-campus team at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC) as the National Director of Recruitment and Admissions. Rabbi Sabath has taught courses on modern Jewish thought, gender, liturgy and theology at HUC for over 16 years as well as at other institutions. Wise is excited to bring this elite scholar to Shabbat services for her thoughtful and insightful remarks on such an important topic.
LEARN MORE ABOUT RABBI SABATH
FOLLOW @RABBISABATH
|
|
|
 Wise Temple Youth presents
Social Justice & Purim
Grades 7-12
Sunday, February 23 | 6 p.m.
Join WTY in a project designed to give back to our community in the spirit of Purim.
|
|
 |
|
|
 Purim for Grown-Ups
Monday, March 9 | 8 p.m.
Gather for food, fun, stories, and cocktails with your Wise clergy and community as we read the Megillah and celebrate the silliest of holidays!
This event is free but RSVP is required. This event is 21+ only.
 |
|
|
 Cantors Assembly Trip to Italy with Rabbi Yoshi and Cantor Lam
Trip Itinerary: 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 summer of 2020. Join Rabbi Yoshi, Cantor Lam, and the many voices of the Cantors Assembly for a magical excursion to Rome, Florence, and Venice.
|
| |
 |
| |
|
 The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles presents
CA Census 2020: Be Counted, Los Angeles
Thursday, February 27 | 8 a.m. | Jewish Federation
With the imminent launch of the 2020 Census, every household will be contacted by April 1, 2020. As such, the Jewish Federation is convening experts and advocates for a coffee and conversation event to talk about the power of the count and how the Jewish community can get involved. Speakers include Maria Garcia, Director of the Census 2020 Initiative at the Mayor’s Office of Budget and Innovation; Marcy Kaplan, the Sectors Outreach Manager for the California Complete Count Office for the State of California and Alejandra Ramirez-Zarate, civil rights leader and Policy Research Analyst for the Political Voice team at Advancement Project California. These guests will explore the importance of an accurate Census count and discuss how they are reaching out to the hard-to-count populations. RSVP is required.
|
|
|
American Associates of Ben-Gurion University and Stephen Wise Temple present
Symposium: Israel’s Homeland Security Research Hub
Wednesday, March 25 | 5:30 p.m. | Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel
Cantor Nathan Lam will moderate a panel discussion featuring Ben Gurion University faculty members Prof. Dan Blumberg, Prof. Ron Folman, and Dr. Yisroel Mirsky, as they discuss vital efforts and advances being made in Israel’s Homeland Security research. Consul General of Israel Hillel Newman will also offer remarks.
For more information, please call 310.552.3300.
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
We remember with love those who died in recent days and weeks:
Larry Field, Robert Friedman, Christina Leebove, Lillian Lieberman, Joan Fidler Proffitt, Henry Stein, Steven Warshawsky
We observe the yahrzeits of:
Etta Aratow*, Rochelle L. Bardin*, Morry Behar, Anna Blatt*, Belle Bodner*, Ben Boxer*, Israel Boyarsky, Frieda Canter, Jack Chap*, Max Chudnow*, Miriam Cohen*, Louis Colton*, Bertha Fink*, Betty Fodor, Ann Gitnick, Sally Glaser*, Dr. Morris B. Gluck*, Murray Greenwald, Florence Hechtman*, Mollye Kadner*, Al Kadner*, Dora Kahn*, Gloria Kaufman, Nan Korngute*, Alfred Kuchinski*, Herbert Kuskin, Frieda Loeb, Sam Lakin*, Esther Rebhun Lawrence*, Lewis Lax*, Bernice Lee, Anne R. Leff*, Evelyn Loder, David T. Miller*, Fred Morrison, Arnold Naftalin, Helen R. Ontman*, May K. Packtor*, Ervin Riekes*, Mas Rosenberg*, Ethel Rothenberg*, Rose Sarnoff*, Anna Schainsinger, Emil Schwartz*, Bernice (Bunny) Shorr*, Benjamin Spilholtz, Barbara Spitz, Violet Tomaryn, Melvyn Walton*, Fred Weiss*, John J. Williams*, Samantha Yaun, Samuel Zacky*, Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin, Ted Zidell*
*Designated on our memorial walls
We reach out as a community and offer our support and deepest sympathy:
Carole Friedman on the loss of her husband Robert Friedman
Michael Leebove on the loss of his wife Christina Leebove
Warren and Julie Stein on the loss of Warren’s father Henry Stein
|
| |
 |
| |
|
Ashley Gershoony and Eric Pony on the birth of their twins Jase and Myles Pony
David and Kari Spitz on their child Jonah Spitz becoming Bar Mitzvah
If you have a birth, wedding, or milestone birthday you would like to share with the Wise community, please email us at [email protected].
To schedule a Shabbat blessing or special reception in honor of a simcha, contact Arlene Spiegelman at 310.889.2272.
|
| |
 |
| |
|
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 HONOR OF
Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, for officiating Ryder’s Bar Mitzvah, by Jordan and Dori Katz
IN MEMORY OF
Ann Gitnick, by Cherna Gitnick
RABBI ELI HERSCHER DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF
Rabbi Eli Herscher, for officiating Ryder’s Bar Mitzvah, by Jordan and Dori Katz
Rabbi Eli Herscher, by Ruth Winthrop
RABBI RON STERN DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF
Rabbi Ron Stern, with gratitude, Gary and Sheryl Fidler
IN MEMORY OF
Henry Stein, by Dana and Scott Ehrlich
RABBI JOSH KNOBEL DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Murray Greenwald, by Philip Greenwald and Family
CANTOR NATHAN LAM DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF
Cantor Nathan Lam, for officiating Ryder’s Bar Mitzvah, by Jordan and Dori Katz
Bob and Roz Weiner, congratulations on the birth of your grandson, Aiden Blake Weiner, by Mike and Debbie Gordon
Jo and Irv Kierman, on their 75th Wedding Anniversary, by Robert Bienenfeld
Cantor Nathan Lam, by Randy Moss
AVI EFRAIM GESUNDHEIT FUND FOR MUSIC
IN MEMORY OF
Jack Chap, by Linda and Jeffrey Resnick and Family
CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Melvyn Walton, by Lynda Robbins
METUKA BENJAMIN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Bernice Lee, by The Lee Family
SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Anna Schainsinger, by Gloria and Ron Gurvitz and Family
Betty Fodor, by Sussan and Michael Shore and Family
SOL AND ESTHER SMITH LIBRARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Esther Smith, by Mark and Marcia Smith
Gloria Kaufman, by The Kaufman Family
WISE SCHOOL ANNUAL GIVING
IN MEMORY OF
Israel Boyarsky, by Israel and Eugenia Salin
YAHRZEIT FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Arnold Naftalin, by Beverly Shpall and Family
Benjamin Spilhotz, by Marilyn Spencer and Family
Evelyn Loder and Violet Tomaryn, by Beatrice Fisher
Herbert Kuskin, by Robert, Christine and Ashley Kuskin
Fred Morrison, by Allan and Adriane Morrison
John J. Williams, by Marilyn and David Williams
Frieda Loeb, by the Russ and Loeb Families
|
| |
 |
| |
|
MEMBER LOGIN
CONTACT US
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
|
| |
|
Stephen Wise Temple | 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive | Los Angeles, CA 90077
Shabbat Shalom
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
