Pride – Everyone Counts
by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback

I remember the first time I took my daughters to an amusement park. It was the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. My girls were about three, five, and seven years old. My wife had a work commitment so I had them all to myself. Roller coasters and ice cream seemed like a good idea.
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Mazal Tov and Kol HaKavod to our wonderful Wise School Class of 2019! Here are some photos from today’s celebratory graduation. We wish all of our students and families great success as they move on to the next exciting chapter in their academic careers.

 

Father’s Day Throwback Thursday

In honor of Father’s Day, we’re sharing a very special throwback photo from our Past President Ken Gross. On the left, you’ll see Ken with his Wise Dad and Me group from roughly 30 years ago! On the right you’ll see that even though the kids are grown up and have spread out all around the country, the dads still get together regularly to reconnect. Ken has told us that the Wise Dad and Me parenting group was how he found Wise in the first place as it was the only synagogue community running such a group at the time. Happy Father’s Day to the dads and granddads in our community!
Click the photos to enlarge

 

 

Cantor Nathan Lam Leads Concert in Rome Celebrating Israel’s Relationship with the Holy See

Kol HaKavod to Cantor Nathan Lam who performed in Rome earlier today as the organizer of a special concert celebrating 25 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and the Vatican. The incredible event occurred at the Great Synagogue of Rome and while we know these photos don’t do justice to this beautiful and historic landmark, we are excited to share video from the concert in the coming weeks!

Pictured below: Ambassador Oren David, Cantor Raphael Frieder, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Cantor Ofer Barnoy, and Cantor Nathan Lam. Photos taken at the Great Synagogue of Rome following today’s concert.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

This Week’s Torah Portion:
Naso

Friday, June 14
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat Services | Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Cantor Nathan Lam, Rabbi David Woznica, Rabbi Ron Stern, Rabbi Sari Laufer, Rabbi Josh Knobel, Cantor Emma Lutz
Watch live on Friday night: Facebook | WiseLA.org

Saturday, June 15
9 a.m. | Lay-led Torah Study | Chapel Study
10 a.m. | Shabbat Morning Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Sari Laufer and Cantor Emma Lutz

Next Week

Friday, June 21
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Rabbi Ron Stern, Cantor Emma Lutz

Saturday, June 22
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

Learning Opportunities with Clergy
Talmud Study with Rabbi Josh Knobel: Wednesday, June 19 | 12 p.m. | Udko Annex
Bible Study with Rabbi Ron Stern: Monday, June 24 | 9 a.m. | Conference Room


 

 
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.
 
 
 

Kol HaKavod to all of our Wise School alumni who are now graduating from high school! We are all so proud of the accomplishments of our Wise School Class of 2013 and wish them the best of luck as they spread out across the world to some amazing colleges and universities (listed below). May you go from strength to strength and continue to make great happen in the world.

 
American University of Paris Tufts University University of Colorado, Boulder
Cornell University Tulane University University of Miami
Chapman University University of Arizona University of Michigan
Duke University University of British Columbia University of Oregon
Fairfield University University of California, Berkley University of Pennsylvania
Los Angeles Pierce College University of California, Los Angeles University of Southern California
Northwestern University University of California, San Diego Yale University
Santa Monica College    

 

 

Lunch Bunch: Caring for the Stranger
Tuesday, June 18 | 5 p.m.

Help our Lunch Bunch care for the stranger by assembling lunches for residents at LA Family Housing’s Valley Shelter. 
RSVP HERE

 

Wise Jams
Thursday, June 20 | 8 p.m.

Join us for a night of music at Wise Jams with Rabbi Yoshi, Maestro 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

 

Wise Women presents
Mahj and More

Wednesdays, July 10, August 7 |
1 p.m. | Udko Annex

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. While this is a free event, we kindly ask for your RSVP.
RSVP HERE

 

Shabbat by the Shore
with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Emma Lutz
Friday, August 9 | 6:30 p.m. | Crescent Bay Park, Santa Monica

Our seaside service has become a beloved summer tradition, bringing together friends from all over Los Angeles for a sunset Shabbat full of meaningful prayer and uplifting music. As always, arrive early to stake out a spot for your blanket and picnic “pre-neg” and be sure to pack your frisbees and beach balls for an after-service hangout!

 
 

WiseStock: Two Nights of Shalom and Music
Thursday, August 15 | 6 p.m. | Beverly Cañon Gardens
Friday, August 16 | 6:15 p.m. | Wise Campus

Celebrate Woodstock’s 50th anniversary with two extraordinary summer nights of shalom, ahavah, and music. Wise clergy, musicians, singers, and special guests will lead a singalong with Mayor John Mirisch in Beverly Hills’ beautiful Canon Gardens on Thursday evening, followed by a Shabbat encore on the Wise campus. Featuring hits by beloved artists that performed at Woodstock in the glorious summer of ’69, this two-night celebration will bring all of our voices together to offer more peace, love, and music into the world.

 
 
Yahrzeits
 

We remember with love those who died in recent days and weeks:
Barbara Chester, Peggy Lassar Gross, Evelyn Feigen Koss

We observe the yahrzeits of:
Arnold Alpert, Bernice Shanedling Allenstein, Jerry Angransi*, Sarah Becker*, Robert Behar, Robert Bergman, Frances Braverman*, Joseph Bronstein, Anna Buchbinder*, Alvin Citron, Ben Cohen*, Gerry Crasnick, Simon Crasnick*, Morris Faber*, Julian Fleg*, Harvey J. Fromer*, Sanford Gad, Imre Gardos*, Jack Glaser*, Richard Samuel Glickman*, Julius Goldberg*, Alvin Goldsher, Steven Goldsher, William I. Goldstein*, Barney Gordon*, Ben “Jessel” Gordon, Wolf J. Gruen*, Murray Handler, Sadie Kimmel*, Dr. Maurice Kolevsohn, Jerome Konowitch, George Sumner Landers*, Goldie Lipchitz*, Selma Lokitz*, Gertrude Millar*, Samuel A. Miller*, Adrienne Miller-Dreyfus*, Pearl Murstein, Wendy Otelsberg*, Bernard Eugene Paletz, M.D.*, Daniel C. Panzer*, Sherley Perlman, Ben Prober*, Leona Epstein Rice*, Madeline Rubin*, Aaron Sharpe*, William Siegel, Nathan Silver*, Gitelle Springwater*, Miriam Tokowitz*, Gladys Weinstein, Lucille L. Wildman*, Jacob Williams, Esta Wolf*, David Yavitch*, Ayoub Yousefzadeh, Minnie Florence Zagon*

*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:

Karen and Fraser Wirth on the birth of their child Maxwell Weyman Wirth.
Phil and Olivia Gordon on their son Noah Gordon becoming Bar Mitzvah last weekend. Kol HaKavod!

 
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.

Michael and Corie Koss on the loss of Michael’s stepmother Evelyn Koss, wife of Martin Koss.

 
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:
Bernice Shanedling Allenstein, by The Joel S. Marcus Family

IN HONOR OF:
Karen Anne Rosenthal-Stern, on her 66th Birthday and retirement from Harvard Westlake Middle School, by her first cousins Laurie Ackerman, Carly Ackerman-Canning, and Elizabeth Brody

 

RABBI RON STERN DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Joseph Bronstein, by Leslie Wright

THANK YOU TO:
Rabbi Stern, for holding services at our home and the cemetery, from Bernard Chester

 

ELSA RUBELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Evelyn Koss, by Eileen and Bryan Kravetz

 

KASSAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Evelyn Koss, by Heidi and Albert Praw

 

MAX HESS LIBRARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Alvin Goldsher, by Jeff Marsh, Sherry Goldsher Marsh, and Family
Steven Goldsher, by Jeff Marsh, Sherry Goldsher Marsh, and Family
Dr. Maurice Kolevsohn, by Michele, Jim, Cameron, and Eden Hess
Pearl Murstein, by Amy Reichbach

 

METUKA BENJAMIN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Wendy Otelsberg, by Jerry, Scott, Emily, Charlotte, Finley and Parker Otelsberg, and Michelle and Eric Massi

 

SOL AND ESTHER SMITH LIBRARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Evelyn Feigen Koss, by Irene and David Smith
Peggy Lassar Gross, by Irene and David Smith

MAZAL TOV:
To Penny and Mark Berns on the birth of their grandson, Chase Preston Cohen, by Irene and David Smith

 

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Alvin Goldsher, by Jeff Marsh, Sherry Goldsher Marsh, and Family
Steven Goldsher, by Jeff Marsh, Sherry Goldsher Marsh, and Family
Evelyn Feigen Koss, by Michael and Corie Koss
Evelyn Feigen Koss, by Michael and Sussan Shore

IN HONOR OF:
Penny and Mark Berns, on the birth of their grandson, Chase Preston Cohen, by Michael and Sussan Shore

 

TIKKUN OLAM LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
IN MEMORY OF:
Jerome Konowitch, by The Konowitch Family

 

WISE HEARTS FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Jacob Williams, by Sunny Caine
Murray Handler, by Evelyn Handler and Family

 

WISE SCHOOL GENERATIONS ENDOWMENT
IN HONOR OF
Penny and Mark Berns, and their new grandson, Chase Preston Cohen, by Edward and Deena Nahmias

MAZAL TOV:
To Felice and Doug Williams, on the marriage of their daughter Molly Williams to Nick Andrews, by Janine and Richard Kolodny
To the proud grandparents, Steve and Julie Bram, on the birth of their grandson, Ezra Solomon Callner, with love from Janine and Rick Kolodny

 

WISE READERS TO LEADERS
IN MEMORY OF:
Wendy Otelsberg, by Ed and Carol Horowitz

 

YAHRZEIT FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Arnold Alpert, by Brenda Fidler
Ayoub Yousefzadeh, by Faramarz Yousefzadeh
Gladys Weinstein, by Carin and Glenn Freeman and Family
Julius Goldberg, by Robert P. Bienenfeld
Sherley Perlman, by Arnold Perlman
William Siegel, by Renee and Robert Siragusa

 

 

 
 

We appreciate our wonderful volunteers:

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