Eyes on Wise 6.7.18

Yes – We Can
by Rabbi Yoshi  Zweiback
When the reward is considerable – necessary even – how do find the courage to move forward despite real obstacles, considerable risks, that stand in our way? In this week’s Torah portion, Sh’lach L’cha, twelve men, one from each tribe, are sent to scout out the land of Israel. They are to return to Moses and report on their findings. Are the people of the land strong? Are the cities fortified? Is the soil rich?
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Wise Takes Home Honor at 48th Annual Los Angeles Architectural Awards
Stephen Wise Temple and Wise School were honored at the 48th Annual Los Angeles Architectural Awards, hosted by the Los Angeles Business Council (LABC) on June 1 at the Beverly Hilton. Wise received its architectural award in the Education category, recognizing Katz Family Pavilion and Shalom Garden for ground-breaking design and for the project’s commitment to meeting the modern day needs of the Wise and greater Los Angeles communities.

Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Senior Rabbi Emeritus Eli Herscher, Head of Wise School Tami Weiser, architect Michael Lehrer, and Building Committee Chair Leandro Tyberg attended the Architectural Awards luncheon, gratefully accepting the prestigious award from LABC.
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Wise Survey Earns Huge Response, Exciting Takeaways, and Inspiration for Improvement
This spring we asked all of you to make your voices heard by participating in the 2018 Wise Survey and you responded in full force, inspiring us with your feedback and support. We received even more responses than our 2013 and 2015 surveys – a testament to the passion, engagement, and involvement of our dedicated community of members. Our partners from Measuring Success informed us that Wise’s response rate was 45% of our membership – the largest number they have ever seen from a synagogue community (topping their next highest by a 5% margin!) Wise School families in particular responded to the tune of 70% participation – also far above the nationwide standard.
VIEW MORE RESULTS FROM THE WISE SURVEY

Wise Wildcats Celebrate Excellence at Sports Banquet
This week, Wise School celebrated our 2017-18 athletes at the annual Wildcat Sports Banquet. Each of our sports teams were recognized and one player from each team was selected to receive the Wildcat Ambassador Award for epitomizing what it means to make great happen. Throughout the night raffle winners were presented with phenomenal prizes including autographed Lakers, Clippers, and Rams memorabilia. The evening included a rare and unique honor for one remarkable athlete: 6th grade student Jonah Pournazarian was chosen to receive the Starr Award (bestowed upon Jonah by Coach Jeff Starr himself) for showing incredible courage and heart in the face of adversity. Readers may remember Jonah and his friend Dylan Siegel from their amazing story of friendship, Chocolate Bar. As always, the end of the evening was reserved for the incredibly prestigious Athlete of the Year award. Last year’s recipients presented the award to the most outstanding 6th grade athletes of the 2017-18 school year, Ethan Dardashty and Bianca Dardashti. Kol HaKavod and congratulations to all of our Wise School athletes for another amazing year of Wildcat sports!

This Week’s Torah Portion: Shelah-Lekha

FRIDAY, JUNE 8
6:15 p.m. Shabbat Services Honoring Rabbi David Woznica and Board of Directors | Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Nathan Lam
Please join the Wise community for a Shabbat Service and grand oneg at which we will honor Rabbi David Woznica as he assumes the Rabbi Zeldin Rabbinic Chair. On this very special evening we will also honor and show gratitude to the outgoing members of our Board of Directors, including outgoing President Steven J. Fishman. We will also install and welcome the new members of our Board and our incoming President Janine Kolodny.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9
Shabbat Morning Services | Parenting Center
Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel and Cantor Paul Dorman
9 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

NEXT WEEK:

FRIDAY, JUNE 15
6:15 p.m. Shabbat Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Nathan Lam

8 p.m. Soulful Shabbat Services | Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Nathan Lam
REGISTER FOR DINNER

SATURDAY, JUNE 16
Shabbat Morning Services | Parenting Center
Led by Rabbi Ron Stern and Cantor Paul Dorman
9 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

Lunch Bunch: Caring for the Stranger
Tuesday, June 19 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. Delivery of the lunches will take place on the morning of Wednesday, June 20. Your help is greatly appreciated, especially in the summer months when school is not in session and many are traveling. To RSVP for Tuesday’s food preparation or if you have questions, email Diane Kabat or call 818.981.5485.

Second Generation Family Caregiver Group
Sunday, June 24 at 11 a.m.
Hosted by Jewish Family Services, this support group will meet at Wise to bring together those presently caring for parents and relatives of advanced age or illness. Refreshments provided.
To RSVP by June 15 or learn more please contact Joanne Levine, LCSW, at [email protected].

Shabbat Morning Hike
with Rabbi Ron Stern
Saturday, June 30 at 10 a.m. | Will Rogers State Park
Hit the trail for a Shabbat morning out in nature, experiencing the beauty of our beloved parks and hills in Los Angeles. Our excursions are designed for even the most novice of hikers, so simply bring a good pair of sneakers or boots, a bottle of water, a snack or two, and yourself!

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.

Sonia Bordo on the loss of her husband Dr. Martin Bordo.

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!

To our B’nai Mitzvah — may the Torah guide and inspire you every day of your adult life.
Mazal tov to:

Noushin Salim and Iraj Yazdi on their daughter Tiana becoming Bat Mitzvah.

Irena and Vadim Schar on their son Stefan becoming Bar Mitzvah.

Jennifer and Scott Cohen on their son Mason becoming Bar Mitzvah.

We honor our loved ones, our family simchas, 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.

RABBIS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:

Rabbi David Woznica being named holder of the Isaiah Zeldin Rabbinic Chair at Stephen Wise Temple, by Melinda Ahdoot, and Penny and Mark Berns

the Bat Mitzvah of Judah Marley, by Orly and David Marley

IN MEMORY OF:

Eghbal Tavakoli, by Janet Tavakoli

Ruth Borun, by E. Raymond Borun

Bernice Allenstein, by Barbara Marcus

CANTORS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:

the Bat Mitzvah of my daughter Alexa Wachtel, by Deena Wachtel

the Bat Mitzvah of Judah Marley, by Orly and David Marley

IN MEMORY OF:

Cyla Blumenfeld, by Miriam and Jack Pitson

Ruth Borun, by E. Raymond Borun

Jess Bass, by Chris and Ron Bass

DONNA AND CANTOR NATHAN LAM MEDIA CENTER
IN MEMORY OF:

Connie Goldman Shur, by Marilyn Goldman, Nancy Goldman, David and Lauryn Goldman, and Paul Troy

Gerry Crasnick, by Marilyn Goldman, Nancy Goldman, and Paul Troy

WISE SCHOOL GENERATIONS ENDOWMENT
IN HONOR OF:

Alexsondra Shore Fixmer being installed as a new member of the Stephen Wise Temple Board, by Sussan and Michael Shore

Janine Kolodny on her Installation as President of Stephen Wise Temple, by Liz and Jeff Koppelman, and Jody and Dan Furie

IN MEMORY OF:

Gerry Crasnick, by Roslyn and Harvey Firestone, Marlene and Larry Fingerut and family, and Jeri and Roger Sterneck

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND
IN HONOR OF:

Janine Kolodny on her Installation as President of Stephen Wise Temple, by Sussan and Michael Shore

IN MEMORY OF:

Gerry Crasnick, by Diane Kabat, and Helen and Donald Cherry

LIFELONG LEARNING ENDOWMENT
IN HONOR OF:

Janine Kolodny on her installation as President of Stephen Wise Temple, by Penny and Mark Berns

2017-18 EARLY CHILDHOOD ANNUAL GIVING
IN HONOR OF:

the engagement of Stacy Goldman, by Michelle and Jeff Glass

WISE HEARTS FUND
IN HONOR OF:

the Bat Mitzvah of Lily Turndorf, by Brent Stutman, Lorie Lewis and Les Fuchs, and Kathleen Kennedy

AVI EFRAIM GESUNDHEIT FUND FOR MUSIC
IN MEMORY OF:

May Shore, by Sussan and Michael Shore

AFSANEH YOSEFZADEH MEMORIAL FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Frances Salzman, by Linda and David Salzman

YAHRZEIT FUND
IN MEMORY OF:

Perle Chudnow, by Judy Tamkin

Julius Goldberg, by Bob Bienenfeld

Sara Steigman, by Susie and Bruce Goren

Sherley Perlman, by Arnold Perlman

Wendy Otelsberg, by Michelle and Eric Massi

A special thank you to Barbara Sampson, Freda Moscowitz, and Susan Firestone for their dedication and volunteering to support our Center for Jewish Life dialogues and speaker series.

Nosh Volunteer:
Susan Firestone

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

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