Eyes on Wise 3.29.18

Memorable Seders
by Rabbi Ron Stern
Last year, while officiating at the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles interfaith seder, in a room packed with dignitaries and politicians, I smeared a heaping pile of horseradish and charoset on a matzah and took a bite. Within seconds, my mouth exploded in pain. The horseradish vapors catapulted up through my nasal cavities and set my head on fire. For a minute, I thought that my brain might actually melt.
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Wise Brings Parkland Students to Los Angeles to Meet with Peers and Inspire Change
It was a truly inspiring weekend as Stephen Wise Temple supported the kids and teens in our community in their efforts to end gun violence. Wise welcomed two special visitors from Parkland, Florida: Mia Freeman and Hayley Licata, both survivors of February’s shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School. On Friday, they traveled with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Rabbi Melissa Zalkin Stollman (of Congregation Kol Tikvah in Parkland), visiting high schools all around Los Angeles, speaking to peers at Shalhevet, de Toledo, and Milken High Schools. Friday evening they shared their story with Rabbi Yoshi on the bimah during Shabbat services. On Saturday morning they joined our Wise shuttle to the downtown March for Our Lives rally and, after being introduced by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, spoke to the crowd of over 30,000. On Sunday evening they visited Teen Line, a support and outreach network for teens helping teens. During their time in Los Angeles, Mia and Hayley were interviewed on CNN’s MichaeLA show, by NBC, Fox 11 News, KPCC, and AM 1070. We are so proud of them; and proud of our kids, teens, and families, for supporting a call for action to bring us safety and peace in our communities.
READ THE LOS ANGELES TIMES STORY
READ THE JEWISH JOURNAL STORY
WATCH FRIDAY NIGHT’S SERVICE
VIEW PHOTO GALLERY
Four Questions About Gun Safety for Your Passover Seder

This Week’s Torah Portion: Yom Rishon shel Pesach

FRIDAY, MARCH 30
5:30 p.m. Shabbat Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Cantor Nathan Lam
Note special time for Passover

SATURDAY, MARCH 31
Shabbat Morning and Passover Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Ron Stern and Cantor Emma Lutz
9 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Morning Service
 

NEXT WEEK:

FRIDAY, APRIL 6
6:15 p.m. Shabbat Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Ron Stern and Cantor Nathan Lam

SATURDAY, APRIL 7
Shabbat Morning and Passover Yizkor Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi David Woznica and Cantor Nathan Lam
9 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Passover Yizkor Service

Center for Jewish Life presents
Jewish Justices of the Supreme Court: From Brandeis to Kagan
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 | 7:30 p.m.
Examine the lives, legal careers, Jewish backgrounds, and Jewish legacies of Brandeis, Cardozo, Frankfurter, Goldberg, Fortas, Bader Ginsburg, Breyer, and Kagan. Explore the appointment of Brandeis in 1916 and how that appointment began the tradition of a “Jewish seat,” the role anti-Semitism did or did not play in the lives of the Justices and Senate confirmation hearings, as well as the relationships and friendships that impacted their careers. You’ll learn their views on subjects including freedom of speech, death penalty, gender equality and more. A look at some of the most influential American Jews and how they shaped the way Americans lived and live today. Rabbi Dalin’s book Jewish Justices is now a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award.
LEARN MORE

Wise Years
Thursday, April 12
Registration: 9:30 a.m.
Program begins: 10 a.m.
Meet Rachel Myers, director of the short documentary film Wendy’s Shabbat, a film featuring a group of Palm Desert-based seniors (including many Wise congregants and our own Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin, Z”L) who usher in Shabbat by candlelight at their local Wendy’s restaurant. Ariella Schusterman of the ADL will shine a light on hate group activity in California and beyond. After lunch, play games or screen the film Elsa and Fred (2014), a love story starring Shirley Maclaine and Christopher Plummer.
REGISTER NOW

Center for Jewish Life presents:
Classical (Siddur) Hebrew, Beginning 2
(for students who completed Beginning 1)
9 Mondays: April 16 –June 25 (No class on 5/21, 5/28)
7 – 9 p.m.
This class is for students who completed Beginning 1 or can read at a beginners level. The class focuses on improving reading skills and understanding the prayers.
REGISTER HERE

The Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles presents
Yom Hazikaron Official Ceremony
Tuesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. | Sanctuary
All in our community are invited to this special ceremony for Israel’s Memorial Day commemorating Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Per security protocol, please bring your photo I.D. and refrain from bringing bags to the service.​

Lunch and Gift Packaging for Wise Parents with College Kids
Wednesday, April 18 at 11:30 a.m. | Private Home in Beverly Hills
We are delighted to once again invite our Wise parents with college kids to get together for lunch to socialize and pack “finals survival packages” for their students in cities all around the country. We will gather at the home of our gracious host Alison Kronenberg (address provided upon RSVP.) If you’re a parent of a college student and have not already provided us with your child’s address, please email Lucy Harel, Director of Membership, so that we can add your child to our list.
RSVP HERE

Lunch Bunch: Caring for the Stranger
Tuesday, April 24 at 5 p.m. | Sanctuary Building
Help our Lunch Bunch care for the stranger by assembling lunches for residents at LA Family Housing’s valley shelter on Tuesday, April 24. Delivery of the lunches will take place on Wednesday, April 25. To RSVP for Tuesday’s food preparation or if you have questions, contact Diane Kabat at 818.981.5485 or email [email protected].

Center for Jewish Life presents
Reform Judaism: An Exploration of our Role and our Future 
Thursday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Many of the greatest contributions of Reform Judaism also present its greatest challenges. It seeks to be innovative while at the same time embracing tradition. It casts a wide tent while at the same time seeking to have core beliefs. It allows for personal autonomy while at the same time desiring a community based on shared values. It holds the Torah as sacred while concurrently not holding all its teachings to be binding.
LEARN MORE

Soulful Shabbat and Confirmation: Celebrating Our Graduating Seniors
Friday, May 18
Services: 6:15 p.m.
Dinner: 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the graduating seniors in our Wise family with a Soulful Shabbat service, presentations by our Confirmands, and special blessings for any of our departing seniors. Our entire community is invited to dinner after services to help congratulate our Confirmands and graduating class. NOTE: Special service time of 6:15 p.m.
REGISTER FOR DINNER 

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.

Jon and Dana Cohen on the loss of Jon’s grandfather Irving B. Kahn.

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!

We honor people through charitable giving.
 

RABBIS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, for officiating the upcoming wedding of Joel M. Bluen and Chelsea Lebovitz

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, for the brit milah celebration of Jila and Kamran Hekmat’s grandson (Lev).

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Carrie Lutin Scott, by Jon & Susan Berger

YAHRZEIT FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Bernard Schainsinger, by Gloria & Ron Gurvitz and family

Lillian Rothschild, by Marvin & Dottie Chanin and family

Sam Faber, by Marilyn Spencer and family

George Sookman, by Carol Sookman

Mustaph Idrissi, by Yasmina, Alan, Rachel & William Joelson

Daniel Schwartz, by Allen & Helen Schwartz

Anne Ackerman, by Richard & Barbara Ackerman

Lucille Steinberg, by Dr. Michael Steinberg & Dr. Eve Kurtin-Steinberg
 

Nosh Volunteer:
Susan Firestone

Gift Shop Volunteers:
Terrie Baumann
Rochelle Fox
Lori Rubin
Carol Sookman

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