Wise School Students Celebrate Big Odyssey of the Mind Wins; Advance to World Finals

Wise School is excited to announce that all three of its Odyssey of the Mind teams placed 1st in their divisions at last weekend’s competitions and will now advance to the World Finals in May. Wise School is the only Jewish day school in Los Angeles to participate in the international problem-solving competition. The fifth grade team also won a special award for achieving the highest score in their Spontaneous Event, a problem-solving competition without adult assistance. The entire Wise community can be incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of these students, as well as the support from their families, teachers, and administrators.
AIPAC at Wise: Over 70 Members Join Delegation to D.C.

This past week Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Rabbi David Woznica joined over 70 members of the congregation in Washington D.C. for the annual AIPAC Policy Conference. The Wise group had an amazing time connecting with other delegates, congressional representatives, and world leaders to strengthen, promote,and protect the U.S.✈️Israel relationship! We look forward to sending another big Wise delegation to the URJ Biennial conference in Chicago this December!
Tonight’s Featured Event!
Wise Jams
Thursday, March 28 | 8-10 p.m.Please join us for a night of music at Wise Jams with Rabbi Yoshi, David Kates, and fellow musicians from the Wise 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!
RSVP HERE
This Week’s Torah Portion: Shemini

Friday, March 29
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat Services | Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi Sari Laufer and Cantor Emma Lutz
Watch live on Friday night: Facebook | WiseLA.org

Saturday, March 30
9 a.m. | Lay-led Torah Study | Chapel Study
10 a.m. | Shabbat Morning Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Student Rabbi Bryan Zive

Next Week

Friday, April 5
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat Services | Sanctuary
Featuring Kabbalat Torah for CYE Kindergarten Class
Led by Rabbi David Woznica and Cantor Emma Lutz

Saturday, April 6
9 a.m. | Lay-led Torah Study | Chapel Study
10 a.m. | Shabbat Morning Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Emma Lutz
10 a.m. | Tot Shabbat | Wise Woods
Led by Rabbi Sari Laufer and Rabbi Josh Knobel
Learning Opportunities with Clergy
Bible Study with Rabbi Ron Stern: Monday, April 1 | 9 a.m. | Temple Conference Room
Talmud Study with Cantor Nathan Lam: Wednesday, April 3 | 12 p.m. | Udko Annex
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. Enjoy a glass of wine and dessert as we create beautiful seder and matzah plates using the art of decoupage. This event is open to all adult Wise members AND guests, so bring your mom, sister, cousin, and BFFs!
RSVP by April 1. This is a 21+ event.Wise members: $18
Guests: $36
RSVP HERE
Passover SOVA Drive
Monday through Friday, April 8-12During the Passover season, help us remember the struggle of our ancestors by providing aid to those in need today. Fill your brown SOVA bag (coming home with students during the first week of April) with non-perishable food items and drop them off in various locations on campus including the parking garage (by our lost and found station) and the SOVA bin in the Sanctuary lobby.
Helpful tip: in preparation for Passover, include your unopened chametz for SOVA!
Questions? Contact Jennifer Smith at [email protected]
Passover SOVA Market
Tuesday, April 9 Visit our SOVA market during Early Childhood drop-off (near Katz Family Pavilion) and at Wise School pick-up. Proceeds from the market will provide struggling families with the food they need to participate in Passover. With SOVA’s leveraged buying power, your donation of $5, $10, or $25 will help stretch all funds to provide the maximum benefit to those in need.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Smith at [email protected]
Shabbat Morning and Passover Services
Saturday, April 20 | Plotkin Chapel9 a.m. | Torah Study
10 a.m. | Morning Service
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Nathan Lam
Passover Second Night Seder
Saturday, April 20 at 6 p.m. | Zeldin Herschenson Hall
Led by Rabbi Ron Stern and Cantor Emma LutzCome 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
Shabbat Morning and Passover Yizkor Services
Saturday, April 27 | Plotkin Chapel9 a.m. | Torah Study
10 a.m. | Passover Yizkor Service
Led by Rabbi David Woznica and Cantor Emma Lutz

Passover Preparation with the Wise Gift Shop

The first night Seder is just 23 days away! If you’re looking for a new Haggadah for your festivities, the Wise Gift Shop can help. Short Seders, colorful Seders, family-friendly Seders: inspire new meaning in your holiday with our wide array of options. This week all seder plates are 25% off. Furthermore, in recent days our shop has seen a drastic increase in its local frog population! Hop on by and pick up a few for your table.

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.
Teen Summer Volunteer Opportunities with Wise Readers to Leaders

Wise Readers to Leaders, our flagship literacy program now entering its 8th year, is seeking teen volunteers for our 2019 summer program! Junior Literacy Leaders make our program truly special and have a lasting impact on kids’ lives. If your likes working with children and want to make a difference in the life of youth from under-served districts, please learn more and apply at WiseReaderstoLeaders.org.
For more information on any of our programs, please contact Melissa Schneider or Riley Runburg.
New Wise Machzor: Few Opportunities Left to Support Our Project
by Cantor Nathan LamThank you to the many of you who have already contacted us to fulfill the wonderful mitzvah of supporting the publication of our new Machzor. This is an exciting once-in-a-generation chance to dedicate a Tribute Listing 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.

  • We need you to respond by April 1 with your dedication in order to complete publication by this July.
  • Simply call or email our development department at 310.889.2234 or [email protected] with your dedication wording.
  • There is a 50 character limit for the dedications.
  • Each dedication will be printed in every copy of the Machzor.

LEARN MORE ON OUR SITE
 Wise Temple Youth (WTY) presents
A Screening of Academy Award-Winning Documentary: Period. End of Sentence
Sunday, March 31 | 6-8 p.m. | Plotkin ChapelWise Temple Youth invites all teens to our showing of the award winning documentary, Period. End of Sentence! Dinner will be provided from Panda Express.
Registration is free, you do not need to be a member of WTY to attend. Bring your friends!
For more questions please email Jake, our Youth Advisor, at [email protected]
See you at the show! 
RSVP HERE
This Sunday!
The Los Angeles Walk to End Genocide
Sunday, March 31 | 10 a.m. | Pan Pacific Park (google map link)This year’s event features some fantastic new activities for activists of all ages. There will be opportunities to learn about the serious impact of danger speech, how to fight against the use of child soldiers in war torn countries, and enter the Jump-4-Justice jump-a-thon! If you’ve been “meaning to” join us or “support” the Wise Walks Team, now is the time to register! Or, if you can’t attend, you can support the rest of the team so we can reach our fundraising goal or exceed it. We’re almost there and need your help to push us over our goal! Do not stand idly by: you can make a difference on behalf of the more than 68.5 million displaced people throughout the world.
REGISTER HERE
For questions, contact Team Captain Diane Kabat (Email: [email protected], phone: 818.501.1836)
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
Wise Women presents
Mahj and More
Wednesday, April 3 | 1-5 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! 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)*
Tot Shabbat and Baby Playdate
Saturday, April 6
9 a.m. | Baby Playdate (12 months and younger)
10 a.m. | Tot Shabbat ServiceGather 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
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
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
Wise Years
Thursday, April 11
10 a.m. | Registrations Begins | Plotkin Foyer
10:30 a.m. | Program Begins | Plotkin ChapelJoan Rosenberg, PhD, will highlight how to build confidence, emotional strength, and resilience as she discusses keys ideas in her recently released book, 90 Seconds to a Life You Love. In his presentation on “The New American Jew,” Dr. Steven Windmueller will be examining the new behaviors and trends that are contributing to the dramatic changes impacting the 21st century Jewish community.
Film: The Butterfly, an endearing story about how a cranky butterfly collector’s perspective changes when he meets eight-year-old Elsa.
REGISTER HERE
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
Camp Wise presents
SPRING BREAK SPORTS CAMP 2019!
Week 1 | April 15-19
Week 2 | April 22-25Can’t wait for summer? Looking for a great way to spend Spring Break? Are your kids currently in Kindergarten through Grade 6? We are proud to announce our first Spring Break Sports Camp at Camp Wise LA! Run by our Camp Wise Team, this program will get your kids on their feet in a setting and with friends and counselors that they already know and love! Though this program is more focused on sports, “campers” will still get a chance to revisit some of their favorite Camp Wise traditions, such as Maccabia Day and morning circle, and have options to do other activities such as Arts & Crafts, Dancing, and more!
Email [email protected] or visit campwisela.org/spring-sports-camp-2019 for more information.
Wise Readers to Leaders Annual Celebration
Sunday, April 28 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. Join Wise Readers to Leaders for our Annual Celebration. A night fill with an exciting silent auction, wine and cheese reception, a screening of our documentary, and a presentation of our JLL Awards.
RSVP HERE
Torah Trek with Rabbi Ron Stern
Saturday, May 4 | 9 a.m.-11 a.m. | Topanga State ParkJoin 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
Housing the Homeless:
Dinner with Tommy Newman, Director of Public Affairs for the United Way
Friday, May 24 | 7:30 p.m.Join Tommy Newman, Director of Public Affairs for the United Way’s “Everyone In Campaign” for a Shabbat dinner to discuss the United Way’s role as the coordinator of L.A.’s comprehensive response to homelessness. These initiatives include prevention strategies, support for subsidized housing, construction of affordable housing, bridge and permanent supportive housing, and management of services for the homeless. This is the most important step that moves L.A. towards a coordinated and comprehensive approach to dealing with housing for the homeless in the community.
RSVP HERE
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
Wise Jams
Thursday, June 20 | 8-10 p.m.Please join us for a night of music at Wise Jams with Rabbi Yoshi, David Kates, and fellow musicians from the Wise 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!
RSVP HERE

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
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, UCLADefiant 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
Yahrzeits
We remember with love those who died in recent days and weeks:
Gavin Asherson, Fran Beiser, Manoochehr Dardashty, Jackie Harrell, Shelton (Shelly) Pepper, Jean Strauber, Rahim YaghoubianWe observe the yahrzeits of:
William “Sonny” Caplan*, Lynda Camhi, Harry Cutler*, Samuel H. Deutsch*, Sam Faber*, Bernard S. Fond*, Jacob J. Gilbert*, Meyer N. Gratz*, Manning Holoff*, Irving B. Kahn, Charles Kossman*, Benjamin Krasnow, Mary Mika Kretschmer*, Jerry M. Lewis*, Samuel Liebert*, Elliott Lokitz*, Robert Lustgarten, Estelle Masket*, Lora L. Morris*, James Robert Price, Herbert Rosenberg, Bernard Schainsinger, Rita Lee Sigmond*, Shirley Esther Simon*, Jacob Sloan*, Mollie Snookal*, Sam Snookal*, George Sookman*, Barry Strommer, Joel L. Szasz*, James Trepeck*, Rose Weingarten, Jay Winthrop, Harry Ziskrout**Designated on our memorial walls
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!

Mazal Tov to:

Correction: In last week’s mazal tov section, we mistakenly listed Sophia Crasnick as the daughter of Laurie Crasnick. Sophia is Laurie’s niece. Mazal Tov to Sophia on becoming Bat Mitzvah last weekend!

Kathy Bakshian on her son Ryan Bakshian becoming Bar Mitzvah
Katherine and Farshad Bostani on their daughter Ava Bostani becoming Bat Mitzvah
Cheryl and James Brechlin on the birth of their daughter Claire Avery Brechlin
Marc and Debi Graboff on the marriage of their daughter Jessica Graboff to Josh Glick
Lindsay and Andrew Robbins on the birth of their son Reed Robbins
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.

Terry and Mayer Akhtarad on the loss of Terry’s father Rahim Yaghoubian
Alon Asherson (Martha Escarcega) on the loss of Alon’s brother Gavin Asherson
Sandra (Stuart) Newmark on the loss of Sandra’s mother Fran Beiser
Tributes
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 MEMORY OF:
Irving B. Kahn, by Jon and Dana Cohen
Charles Kossman, by Annie and Ted Haas

IN HONOR OF:
David Williams’ 90th Birthday and 2nd Bar Mitzvah, by Mark and Penny Berns

RABBI ELI HERSCHER DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Shelly Pepper, by Pam and Jeff Balton

IN HONOR OF:
Rabbi Eli Herscher, for leading the memorial service of our son Andrew Greene, by Gilbert and Dr. Carol Greene

CANTOR EMMA LUTZ DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Cantor Emma Lutz, for leading the memorial service of our son Andrew Greene, by Gilbert and Dr. Carol Greene

AVI EFRAIM GESUNDHEIT FUND FOR MUSIC
IN HONOR OF:
Ari Stern being promoted with tenure as an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Washington University in St. Louis, by Karen Stern

WISE SCHOOL GENERATIONS ENDOWMENT
IN MEMORY OF:
Fran Beiser, Mother of Sandy and Stu Newmark, and Grandmother of Patty and Dave Newmark, by Janine and Rick Kolodny

KASSAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Lynda Camhi, by Ronnie and Michael Kassan

LIFELONG LEARNING ENDOWMENT
IN MEMORY OF:
Benjamin Krasnow, by Paul and Joyce Krasnow

MITCH SHAMES SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Mollie and Sam Snookal, by Julie, Brad, Sam, and Greg Shames, and Rachel, Gabe, Emma, and Charli Waterman

YAHRZEIT FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Elliott Lokitz, by Sheila Lokitz
Robert Lustgarten, by Margie Marenus
Sam Faber, by Marilyn Spencer and Family
Sam Faber, by Linda Faber
Sam Faber, by Loretta Appel, Larry Toomin, and Lance Toomin
Bernard S. Fond, by Barbara and Richard Ackerman
Bernard Schainsinger, by Gloria and Ron Gurvitz and Family
Jay Winthrop, by Ruth Winthrop
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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Stephen Wise Temple | 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive | Los Angeles, CA 90077
Shabbat Shalom