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 What’s on Your Bedside Table?
by Rabbi David Woznica
Prior to the electronic and digital era, friends often began conversations with “What’s on Your Bedside Table?” It was not uncommon to have books on one’s bedside table and asking people what they are reading often leads to thoughtful discussions.
So, what are you reading?
READ MORE
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 New Wise Machzor: Few Opportunities Left to Support Our Project
by Cantor Nathan Lam
Thank you to the many of you who have already contacted us to fulfill the wonderful mitzvah of supporting the publication of our new Machzor. Last week you received a letter in the mail about this exciting once-in-a-generation chance to dedicate a portion of our sacred liturgy in honor or memory of a loved one or simply as a way of celebrating your family’s commitment to our community. I don’t want you to miss the opportunity to participate in this project. Visit our website to to learn about the remaining naming opportunities. In order to complete publication by this September, we need you to respond by April 1 with your dedication. Each dedication will be printed in every Machzor.
LEARN MORE
For more information please contact Jessica Lebovits at [email protected] or 310.889.2276.
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 Wise Readers to Leaders Named Finalist for Lakers YOU Grant: Vote Now!
We are excited to announce that Wise Readers to Leaders is a finalist for the Lakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant. The winning non-profit organization will receive a $5,000 gift from the foundation. You can help by voting today and sharing the ballot link with your friends and family. Voting ends on March 26, so be sure to get your votes in!
VOTE NOW
SUPPORT WISE READERS TO LEADERS
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 Wise Member Jared Goldin Will Cycle Through Israel to Support Israel Sport Center for the Disabled
Israel Support Center for the Disabled empowers children and adults with physical disabilities from all backgrounds to participate in physical and psychological rehabilitation through sports in order to attain the goal of leading productive and successful lives in Israel. Throughout the year, Wise School 6th Graders have been creatively raising funds through bake sales and weekly tzedakah collection to support ISCD as their chesed organization. Wise member Jared Goldin is joining the effort by raising awareness and funds for the ISCD by participating in Good Wheel 2019: a unique Israel experience which includes a weekend in Tel Aviv, meetings with inspirational Israeli athletes with disabilities, a visit to the ISCD, and a 4 day-180 mile bike ride through biblical Israel with athletes of all abilities. His essay, “Why I’ll Be Cycling In Israel This Spring,” promoting the Center and his ride, is featured on ReformJudaism.org. Wise School 6th graders will donate all of their tzedakah for the month of March to supporting Mr. Goldin in his efforts towards his fundraising goal. We encourage our Wise community to support this very worthy cause.
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 This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayikra
Friday, March 15
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Nathan Lam
Watch live on Friday night: Facebook | WiseLA.org
Saturday, March 16
9 a.m. | Lay-led Torah Study | Chapel Study
10 a.m. | Shabbat Morning Services Honoring 30 Years of Women of the Wall | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Sari Laufer and Cantor Emma Lutz
Learn more in Upcoming Events
Next Week
Friday, March 22
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Ron Stern and Cantor Nathan Lam
Saturday, March 23
9 a.m. | Lay-led Torah Study | Chapel Study
10 a.m. | Shabbat Morning Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel and Cantor Emma Lutz
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Learning Opportunities with Clergy
Bible Study with Rabbi Ron Stern: Monday, March 18 | 9 a.m. | Temple Conference Room
Talmud Study with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback: Wednesday, March 20 | 12 p.m. | Udko Annex
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 Wise Gift Shop Purim Sale 50% Off This Week
Get your Purim groggers, books, and more gifts at the Gift Shop for 50% this week! Also on sale: tallit from Israel at 25% off. Our Gift Shop is the perfect spot for all of your Judaica needs. Stop by during our weekday hours or at Shabbat services:
Mon-Thurs | 2-4 p.m.
Friday | before and after services
Cant make it during our regular hours? Contact Gila at 310.889.2210.
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 Family Day: Open Basketball
Sunday, March 24 | 2-4 p.m. | Katz Family Pavilion
All Wise families are invited to come and use the Katz Family Pavilion for basketball. One coach will be present as a “supervisor”. Every person attending must sign a waiver (minors need an adult signature). All participants will be asked to sign waivers; parents will sign for children under 18.
For more information, please contact Ryan Hosler at [email protected]
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 Purim for Grown-Ups
Wednesday, March 20 | 7 p.m.
Stroll on up to the saloon, grab some prairie dew to wash down that hot rock, and enjoy great food, great laughs, and even greater company at our annual “Purim for Grown-Ups.” Featuring theatrical performances from the Smith-Drori Stephen Wise Temple Theatre Company and music from the Kates-Sackler Country Jamboree, you’ll be glad you didn’t miss out. Festivities will include music, dancing, food, and plenty of quality schmooze-time. Note: this is strictly a 21+ event.
REGISTER HERE
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 YAD presents
Saved by the Belle: Esther’s Purim Party
Thursday, March 21 | 7 p.m.
Our 20s and 30s are invited for a totally tubular throwback Purim party for our 20s/30s–food, open bar, dancing, and Purim festivities!
#ThrowbackThursday 80s/90s costumes encouraged!
21+ ONLY
Tickets $18 in advance
$28 at the door
REGISTER HERE
*First 50 registrants will receive a discounted Lyft code
Feel free to forward this event to your favorite millennial!
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 Kol HaKavod to Taylor Jenkins Reid, daughter-in-law of Wise members Rose and Warren Reid, for a terrific write-up of her new novel in the New York Times this week. Daisy Jones & the Six is the story of a fictional rock band in the real 1970s: the Times calls it her “most sophisticated and ambitious novel.”
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 Center for Jewish Life presents
How to Read the Bible: A Class for the 21st Century
with Rabbi Ron Stern and Rabbi Josh Knobel
Thursdays: March 14, 21, April 4 | 7:30–9 p.m.
We will explore sections of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) through the lens of modern scholarship. Using the latest insights into the origins and historical context of the Bible, we will discover how understanding the texts in their cultural milieu, along with the added perspective of archeological research, allows us to gain even richer appreciation of the motives and wisdom of our ancestors. This unusual and cutting-edge reading of the Bible will lead to a deeper relationship with the texts and an awareness of how these texts speak to us in ways never considered by scholars from our ancient past.
The Bible is our sacred text because our ancestors have handed its wisdom to us through the centuries and because countless interpreters have shepherded it into our hands. This class returns after a successful debut last year with a look at new texts. Join us as we continue this exciting journey into our past that will radiate wisdom into our lives today.
REGISTER HERE
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 Shabbat Morning Service: Women of the Wall
Saturday, March 16 | 10 a.m.
On Rosh Hodesh Adar 30 years ago, a group of women came together at the Western Wall in Jerusalem with one purpose: to demand the right to pray, with tallitot and Torah and with full voice, at Judaism’s holiest site. In honor and support of Women of the Wall for their three decades as the leading voice for equality and religious freedom in Israel, join Cantor Emma and Rabbi Sari for a special Shabbat morning service. With special music, liturgy, and learning, we will come together in strength and in joy, answering the call of Women of the Wall to “let me hear your voice.”
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 Wise Guys presents…Conversations
.45 Caliber, Why It’s OK for Some Jews to be Armed
Tuesday, March 19 | 7:30 p.m.
Join Rabbi Josh Knobel for this very first in a series of conversations designed for modern Jews. Featuring Los Angeles cardiologist Reed Wilson, Executive Director of MVAT James Colbert, and Fred Kogen, the founder of Bullets & Bagels, Southern California’s premier Jewish shooting club, “.45 Caliber” will explore the lives of Jewish gun owners, as well as the principles of ethical, responsible gun ownership in the 21st Century.
People of all genders are invited to enrich this meaningful conversation.
REGISTER HERE
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 Wise Parents Association presents
9th Annual Poker Tournament
Thursday, March 26 | 7 p.m.
The 9th Annual “All-In” Poker Tournament is back, but with some new and exciting additions. Bring your best game for a chance to win huge prizes at Wise School. It will be a memorable night of great food, friends, and friendly gambling WITH AN OPEN BAR! All are welcome!
REGISTER HERE
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 Center for Jewish Life presents:
The High Holy Days: Exploring the New Stephen Wise Temple Machzor
with Cantor Nathan Lam
Tuesdays: March 26, April 2, 16 | 7:30–9 p.m.
The prayers, readings, and music of the High Holy Days create an emotional journey that helps to shape the spiritual experience for our most sacred days and set us on the path for a new year. In this course we will explore the new Stephen Wise Temple machzor, lovingly written and edited by your Wise clergy to capture the unique experience of our community’s worship during the Days of Awe. We will listen to the music and discuss its emotional impact as we also analyze readings and texts from the machzor that create and shape our perspectives on prayer.
REGISTER HERE
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 Jewish World Watch presents
13th Annual Walk to End Genocide
Sunday, March 31 | 10 a.m. | Pan Pacific Park (google map link)
The Walk to End Genocide is a community event that brings together advocates of all ages and backgrounds in one united voice to say: “We will not stand idly by while genocide and mass atrocities occur.” The Walk helps to raise awareness of ongoing atrocities in Syria, Myanmar, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Funds raised from the Walk allow Jewish World Watch to continue its work to educate, advocate, and support projects in these conflict-affected areas.
Please join the Wise Walks Team!
For questions, contact Team Captain Diane Kabat (Email: [email protected], phone: 818.501.1836)
REGISTER NOW FOR EARLYBIRD RATES
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 Wise Melton School presents
Maintaining Balance
Tuesdays: April 2, 9, 30; May 7 | 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
This four-part course takes a look at classic and modern Jewish texts that relate to our contemporary challenge of balancing the needs and demands of family, work, community and self. How can Judaism help us restore balance? This is a great introduction to the Melton School curriculum! New students are encouraged and welcome. No prior Melton School participation is required.
REGISTER HERE
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 Wise Women presents
Why Is This Night Different from All Other Nights?
Wednesday, April 3 at 7 p.m.
Join the women of our Wise community for a ladies’ night out featuring Passover preparation to stimulate your mind, feed your soul, and spruce up your table.
RSVP required by March 25. This is a 21+ event.
Wise members: $18
Guests: $36
RSVP HERE
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 Wise Women presents
Mahj and More
Wednesday, April 3 | Updated time for March!: 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Wise members and guests are invited to join other Wise Women for our monthly open play day: Mah Jongg, Canasta, Bridge or any other game you’d like! This month, please join us after the Library Luncheon at our updated time of 2pm. 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 will be served. This is a free event, we kindly ask for your RSVP.
RSVP HERE
*Save the date for upcoming Mahj & More sessions with newly added summer dates: May 1, June 5, July 10 & August 7 (all sessions at 1pm in Udko Annex)*
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 Tot Shabbat and Baby Playdate
Saturday, April 6
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 FOR BABY PLAYDATE
REGISTER HERE FOR TOT SHABBAT
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 Center for Jewish Life presents
Intermediate Classical Hebrew
Mondays: April 8 – July 1 | 7 p.m.
This class, taught in English, focuses on Siddur and Biblical Hebrew with an emphasis on reading and comprehension. Students will improve their reading and pronunciation and will learn to read and understand basic classical Hebrew, such as prayers. Cost is $315.
REGISTER HERE
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 Center for Jewish Life presents:
Study Kabbalah Online with Rabbi Yoshi
Wednesdays: April 10, 17, 24 | 7-8:15 p.m.
This class will be exclusively held online. Login information will be provided to registrants.
Kabbalah is associated with a range of Jewish mysticism. Interestingly, the word “kabbalah” means “that which is received.” In our study we will open ourselves to a higher level of consciousness so that we can look at the world differently—to see God where we may not have seen God before.
Ultimately, we study Kabbalah to make ourselves better: kinder, deeper, more aware of our soul. We take this path not only to elevate our thoughts but also in the hope that kabbalah will impact our daily behavior. Join this mystical yet surprisingly practical journey toward an elevated and kinder life.
Free for Wise members
($36 for guests)
REGISTER HERE
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 Rosh Hodesh Women’s Gathering
Wednesday, April 10 | 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.
REGISTER HERE
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 Wise Years
Thursday, April 11
10 a.m. | Registrations Begins | Plotkin Foyer
10:30 a.m. | Program Begins | Plotkin Chapel
Dr. Raphael J. Sonenshein (Executive Director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State University Los Angeles) will address the complexities of our rapidly changing political climate. Award-winning documentary filmmaker and screenwriter Paul Boorstin will discuss his biblically-inspired novel David and the Philistine Woman. Film: In Search of Israeli Cuisine, an exploration of the 100+ diverse cultures of Israel through food.
REGISTER HERE
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 Soulful Shabbat
Friday, April 12
Dinner | 6:30 p.m.
Services | 8 p.m.
Soulful Shabbat is a one-of-a-kind musical service, one of Wise’s most popular traditions. Join our clergy and our Soulful Shabbat musicians and singers for a spiritual evening featuring the rhythms and melodies our members have come to love.
REGISTER FOR DINNER
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 Shabbat Morning and Passover Services
Saturday, April 20
9 a.m. | Torah Study
10 a.m. | Morning Service
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Nathan Lam
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 Passover Second Night Seder
Saturday, April 20 at 6 p.m.
Led by Rabbi Ron Stern and Cantor Emma Lutz
Come together as one community to celebrate the birth of freedom into the world. Along the way, enjoy Jewish teachings and songs. We look forward to an uplifting evening of joyful music, a special Kosher-for-Passover dinner, and creating wonderful memories together with family and friends.
Wise members: $65
Guests: $75
Children (12 and under): $30
RSVP HERE
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 Shabbat Morning and Passover Yizkor Services
Saturday, April 27
9 a.m. | Torah Study
10 a.m. | Passover Yizkor Service
Led by Rabbi David Woznica and Cantor Emma Lutz
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 Torah Trek with Rabbi Ron Stern
Saturday, May 4 | 9 a.m.-11 a.m. | Topanga State Park
Join us on May 4th for a “Torah Trek” in the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga State Park. We’ll do some hiking and stop at our usual place for a little wisdom from Jewish tradition. We’ll meet at 9:00 a.m in the parking lot at the main entrance to Topanga State Park at Tripet Ranch off Entrada Road. The hike will take about two hours. There’s a parking fee, payable by credit card.
REGISTER HERE
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 Wise Guys presents…Conversations
Man Up, Defining Jewish Masculinity for the 21st Century
Thursday, May 30 | 7:30 p.m.
Join Rabbi Josh Knobel for this pivotal entry in a series of conversations designed for modern Jews. “Man Up” will explore how Jewish men can turn the tide against a culture of sexual harassment and assault that has left far too many women in our world at risk of abuse and exploitation. Discover how to acknowledge and combat misogyny without compromising your manhood, how to be woke without mansplaining, and how to raise empowered, feminist, Jewish men for the 21st century.
People of all genders are invited to enrich this meaningful conversation.
REGISTER HERE
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 Skirball Cultural Center presents
Let My People Come
A Passover Experience with Miry’s List New Arrival Supper Club
Friday, April 5 | 6:30 p.m. | Skirball Cultural Center
In preparation for Passover, enjoy wine and an elaborate Syrian dinner infused with the symbols of the holiday and prepared by a family who recently resettled in LA with the support from Miry’s List. Rabbi Sarah Bassin (Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills) will begin the meal by connecting the Jewish value of welcoming the stranger to both the holiday’s story and the experience of refugees today. Then hear the family’s arrival stories in a discussion moderated by Evan Kleiman (KCRW’s Good Food).
BUY TICKETS
VIEW THE FACEBOOK EVENT
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 Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust and The Defiant Requiem Foundation present
Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín
Wednesday, April 17 at 8 p.m. | Royce Hall, UCLA
Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín is a unique and profoundly moving multimedia concert-drama featuring a full performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem Mass. It tells the story of the courageous Jewish prisoners in the Theresienstadt concentration camp (Terezín) during World War II who performed the monumental Verdi Requiem while experiencing the depths of human degradation. With only a single smuggled score they performed the famous oratorio 16 times, including a final, infamous performance before senior SS officials from Berlin and an International Red Cross delegation. Conductor Rafael Schächter told the choir, “We will sing to the Nazis what we cannot say to them.”
LEARN MORE AND BUY TICKETS
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| Yahrzeits |
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We remember with love those who died in recent days and weeks:
Manoochehr Dardashty, Shelton (Shelly) Pepper, Mollyann Schroeder, Jean Strauber, Irwin Tallarico
We observe the yahrzeits of:
Wolfe William Barclay*, Jack Berg*, Jean Berg *, Vera Berrin*, Birdie (Bertha) Blatt*, Max Blatt*, Barry Byrens*, Jean Chernow, Harriet Cohen, Jacob Cyperstein*, Leo Cytron*, Eleanor Davis, Selma Dolgen, Ann S. Epstein, Emily Feiles*, Eugene Field*, Neil Fischer*, Mollie Fox*, Bernard Fond*, Louis Richard Friedman*, Ernie Froehlich*, Louis Fuchs*, Gloria Gans, Aron Gak*, Fannie Gesundheit*, Jonathan (Jack) Goffman*, Bertha Gordon*, Janice Gram*, Harmon L. Grant*, Mel Green, Kevy Greenwald*, Robert Groer, William Groskopf*, Julian Grund*, Morris Hammer*, Cindy Harris, Hazel Helsabeck*, Joseph Herscher*, William Herskovic*, Michael Igdaloff, Francine P. Kaplan*, Eleanor Karp*, Ann Kowan, Anne H. Kusnitz*, Louis Lerner*, Bernard Levine*, Faye Levitt*, Lillian Levy, Jerome Harold Levy Jr., Marvin Jerome Lovick*, Carrie Scott Lutin, Leo Marantz*, Elliott L. Markoff*, Albert Marshall*, Ida S. Michnoff*, Darlene Hersh Miller*, Libby Morse*, Sol Moscot*, Jack Moscowitz, Tillie Oberman*, Lillian Orchow*, Alegra Pitson*, Florence D. Ravins*, Lawrence A. Robbins*, Samuel Dean Robbins*, H. David Rosenblum, Russell Rosen*, Edward Rothenberg*, Batya Geffen Sandler*, Rita Scapa*, Nathan Shapell, Gilbert Sheinhaus, Enayatollah Shenassa, Rita Shubb, Hy Shulman*, Dr. Jeremy A. Sigmond*, Sol Silverman*, Sarah Slan*, Mildred Surlow*, Samuel Sussman*, Harry Warshawsky*, Dorothy L. Williams*, Arnold Winnick*, Pearl Wolff*, Mordechai Woskoboynik*, Anna Ziskrout*
*Designated on our memorial walls
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| Mazal Tov |
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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!
Mazal Tov to:
Carolyn and Pejman Rahnama on their son Oliver Rahnama becoming Bar Mitzvah
Ashley Silberfeld on the birth of her daughter Liana Morgan Silberfeld
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| Condolences |
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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.
Doris and Shahin Dardashty on the loss of Shahin’s father Manoochehr Dardashty
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| Tributes |
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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 RON STERN DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Rabbi Ron Stern, by Monica Cornejo-Maglione, for being her sponsoring Rabbi during her conversion to Judaism
RABBI DAVID WOZNICA DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Carrie Scott Lutin, by Evy and Marty Lutin
CANTOR NATHAN LAM DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Alegra Pitson, by Miriam and Jack Pitson and Family
CLERGY GENERAL FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Faye Levitt, by Audri and Stan Tendler
IN HONOR OF:
David Williams’ second Bar Mitzvah and 90th Birthday, with love from Kathy, Seth, Sarah, Dana, Adam, Axel, Felix, and Xander
HOMES FOR HEROES
IN MEMORY OF:
Jack Moscowitz, by Freda Moscowitz
Rita Shubb, by Edward and Carol Horowitz
LIFELONG LEARNING ENDOWMENT
IN MEMORY OF:
Robert Groer, by Rachel Goldberg
MAX HESS LIBRARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Madison Metnick, by Myron and Harriet Kusnitz
SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Gary Gitnick’s Special Birthday, by Steve and Carol Bloch
TIKKUN OLAM LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
IN GRATITUDE TO:
Rabbi Ron Stern, by Souroush and Golareh Ramin
YAHRZEIT FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Ann Kowan, by Harvey and Laura Alpert
Dorothy L. Williams, by Sunny Caine
Jean Chernow, by Judge Eli and Arlene Chernow
Lillian Levy, by Donald and Shelly Levy
Nathan Shapell, by Vera and Paul Guerin
Selma Dolgen, by the Dolgen Family
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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
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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.
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Stephen Wise Temple | 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive | Los Angeles, CA 90077
Shabbat Shalom
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