What’s Inside
Latest News & Upcoming Events
– Time to Renew Your Temple Membership!
– An Unforgettable Israel Journey You Won’t Want to Miss!
– A Special Shabbat for Grandparents and Their Grandchildren
– A Campus Preparedness Event for Rising College Freshman and Current College Students
– An Evening of Study, Discussion and Prayer as a Community this Tisha B’Av
– A Special Summer Musical Event with Artist in Residence, Cantor Natalie Young
– A Perfect Volunteer Opportunity for Families
– The NOVA Music Festival Exhibition
– Adult Learning Opportunity
Worship and Study
– August 2: Shabbat Services with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Cantor Emma Lutz, Cantorial Intern Lauren Blasband-Roth, and Cantorial Intern Andrew Paskil
– August 3: Spirit of Shabbat with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Rabbi Sari Laufer
Clergy Corner
– Sermon from July 26 Shabbat at the Beach – “A New Torah: Poetry in the Three Weeks”
– Join Our Antisemitism Initiative
– Listen to the Latest Search for Meaning with Rabbi Yoshi Podcast
– Israeli hostage family pushes for ceasefire and hostage release from LA
– Legendary Olympic Swimmer Mark Spitz in Dialogue with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
Latest News & Upcoming Events
This year we are celebrating the inspirational accomplishments of Stephen Wise Temple over the last 60 years and we are looking forward to seeing what will come in the next 60 years. If you have not yet renewed your membership, please do so today!
If you have any questions, please contact our Membership department at [email protected], or call us at 310.889.2230.
School families: Your renewal was processed with school registration, so you’re all set!
Experience Israel With Wise: A Trip Like No Other
December 23, 2024 – January 2, 2025
Join us for an unforgettable experience: our Intergenerational Wise Family Adventure in Israel!
There has never been a more important time to embark on this meaningful journey; to come together as a people and learn, laugh, cry, heal, love, and above all, return home.
On your Israel journey with Wise you will:
Feel the warmth of Hannukah surrounded by glowing hanukkiyot in the city of Modiin ⋅ Discover outdoor adventure and beautiful stargazing in the Negev ⋅ Unearth the history of our people by exploring Masada, museums, and an archeological dig ⋅ Savor the flavors of Israel with guided culinary experiences ⋅ Dive deep into Jewish history and culture through parallel adult and youth programming ⋅ And so, so much more!
Create unforgettable memories for the whole family as you immerse yourself in Israel like never before!
Please be advised – space is limited and we encourage you to secure your spot on our trip as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
In the spirit of l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation, please join Rabbi Ron, Becky, Milo, and Ollie at our temple’s Grandparent and Me Kabbalat Shabbat; a unique opportunity for grandparents and grandchildren to spend time welcoming Shabbat together – the Wise way!
Join us on Friday, August 2, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. for this special opportunity to connect with your grandchildren, as well as your fellow Wise community grandparents. We welcome all grandparents with grandchildren five and under to enjoy this hour full of song, prayer, light refreshments, and activities led by your Wise clergy, along with music teacher extraordinaire Ditza Zakay.
Start a new family tradition as we share together the beauty of Shabbat and make meaningful memories that will forever be a part of your grandchildren’s connections to family, Shabbat, and the temple community.
Are you a rising college freshman or parent or guardian of student who will be studying on a campus this fall?
If so, please join Jewish Federation Los Angeles, their Campus Impact Network, Stephen Wise Temple, and many more of our Jewish community partners, for the Rising Freshman College Preparedness Briefing on Sunday, August 4, 9:30 a.m. — 12 p.m. at the Federation, located at 6505 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, 90048.
During this special briefing, Jewish communal professionals, campus administrators, collage alumni, and current Jewish college students will share:
Effective strategies for a smooth college transition; a deep understanding of how to effectively navigate the current campus climate; pathways towards Jewish engagement on campus; tips on how to thrive on campus; and valuable resources about Jewish campus life.
Current high school students and parents are also welcome!
Kosher breakfast will be served. Registration is required to attend.
Please join us on Friday August 16th and Saturday, August 17th for a very special, music filled weekend! Cantor Emma and Dr. Tali Tadmor will be joined by Guest Artist in Residence, Cantor Natalie Young, in a celebration for Shabbat and Havdalah that will be fun for the whole family.
Make a Difference with Your Whole Family
Join us at Our Big Kitchen LA on Sunday, August 11 at 1 p.m. to help prepare a Kosher meal for those in need throughout Los Angeles. Together we will learn about OBKLA’s amazing operation before getting our hands dirty (with gloves of course!) as we prep food for distribution. There is a per-person charge of $36 which covers the cost of the food we’ll be preparing and helps to sustain OBKLA. Grandparents – Bring your grandkids to this great multigenerational project!
Josh Kadden, CEO, Nova Exhibition
Josh Kadden, the CEO of the Nova Exhibition, will be our guest speaker for Shabbat Services on Friday, August 23.
Melton School for Adult Jewish Learning
Beyond Borders: The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict (Hybrid)
Join us in person as award-winning faculty member Mr. Benzy Kogen guides us through the roots of this conflict. We will retrace history from 1948 to today, examining each war and attempt at peace. Classes will meet in a hybrid mode, allowing you to attend either in person or via Zoom. Sessions will be held on Wednesday mornings from 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. The material is designed to encourage discussion and debate, challenging learners to understand the basis of the claims made by all sides.
Noteworthy
Worship and Study
This schedule is subject to change. Visit our website for a complete calendar of events.
Torah Portion: Matot – Mas’ei
Friday, August 2
6:15 p.m. | Shabbat services with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Cantor Emma Lutz, Cantorial Intern Lauren Blasband-Roth, and Cantorial Intern Andrew Paskil | Casden Chapel | In-Person or Watch Online
In light of this week’s assassinations of terrorist leaders in Iran and Lebanon, Rabbi Yoshi’s Friday night sermon will consider the question: Can we rejoice at the downfall of our enemies?
Saturday, August 3
8:45 a.m. | Spirit of Shabbat with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Rabbi Sari Laufer | Chapel Study | In-Person and Online | Register
Clergy Corner
Shabbat Sermon
Rabbi Sari Laufer talks about her recent visit to Israel and recites a deeply meaningful poem entitled “We Need a New Torah,” and invites us to ask ourselves: “what new Torah have you had to learn this past year?”
Experience the full sermon and learn even more with our clergy on our YouTube channel.
Join Wise in Fighting Antisemitism
In this current climate, Wise is not only committed to supporting our college students, but also to being a voice, collectively speaking up and out for our people more broadly. In addition to our new partnerships with The Lawfare Project and The Brandeis Center, we are asking all of our members to help us strengthen our network by filling out this questionnaire.
In doing so, you will enable us to learn more about the connections and relationships our congregation has so that we might appropriately leverage our influence for the sake of current students, as well as future generations. With your assistance, we will be able to respond swiftly and powerfully as a community.
All information will be kept confidential.
Listen to the Latest Search for Meaning Podcast with Hallel Abramowitz-Silverman
Rabbi Yoshi sits down with Hallel Abromowitz-Silverman, an Israeli activist and advocate. She first gained the attention of the public with her work with Women of the Wall that ended up with a widely reported case at the Israel Supreme Court in 2013. She talks about her service in the IDF focused on combatting online hate directed toward Israel.
Israeli hostage family pushes for ceasefire and hostage release from LA
Rabbi Yoshi recently sat down to interview Yehuda Cohen, a desperate father who is doing everything he can to get his son Nimrod out of Hamas’ captivity. Their moving conversation will be featured on an upcoming episode of the Search for Meaning podcast. Learn more about the Cohen family here.
Search for Meaning with Mark Spitz
As you enjoy the 2024 Olympic Games, be sure to listen to a perfect companion piece: Rabbi Yoshi’s conversation with legendary Olympic Swimmer Mark Spitz. Spitz, a 7 time gold medalist and proud member of the Stephen Wise Temple Family, took home gold during the 1972 games in Munich. From his childhood to his swimming career and his present work in documenting Holocaust stories, Spitz discusses his heritage and its impact on everything he has accomplished.
Local Happenings
If you or a community member you know have recently been recognized or honored, or if you have an event you wish to publicize to our community or that could involve our community, please contact us at [email protected].
In Memoriam
We remember with love those who died in recent days and weeks:
Kaddish List:
Shirley Ashkenas, Marjorie Hess, Carole Markoff, Frank Pinkus, Barbara Seidman
Yahrzeit List:
Maurice Banen, Coe Barshop, Bernie Bergman*, Robert Berney, Esther Cohen, Jack Corn, Bernard Cowan, Ida E. Cypers*, Rosa Delevie, Bess Fabe*, Bess Fabe*, Mitchell Feld, Rose Field*, Alex Fox*, Florence Gamer*, Elimelech “Michael” Glousman, William M. Gluck*, Morris Goodman*, Dorothy Gordon*, Diane Goren, Henry Hantgan, Alma Hutkin, George Ben Jacobs*, Myron Jensen, Gustave Kingsley, Walter Klein, Irving Knispel, Bernice Krasne, Ben Lassar, Nathan Latchman*, Bernard Martin Lax, Helen Leewong, Harry Leif, David Kittredge Levington*, Isaac Lipen*, Issac Lipen, Carmella Margalit, Craig Marsden, Marvin Marsh, Ida Miller*, Maurice Edward Moscowitz, Norma Neiman, Odette Ruth Oliensis*, Marcus Reichman*, Steve Rentz, Jesse Rifkind, John D. Rose*, Leonard Rosenblatt, Theodore Rosenson*, Ruth B. Schneider*, Edythe Schuster*, Charlotte Berenston Schwartz*, Esther Mollie Sheinbein*, Laura Sherman, Max Singer*, Ruth Swerdlick, Jerome Teller*, Jerry Teller*, Gary Thomas, Ted Ward, Sidney Winett*, Stephen Wolstan*, Ephraim Ben Yerusha, Morris A. Young*
Simchas
NEW BIRTHS
MAZAL TOV TO
Parents Nicolas Scapa and Nisha Shah on the birth of their daughter, Blaize Kinkade Scapa, and to proud grandfather, Jeff Scapa, and aunt, Jo Scapa
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 RON STERN DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Frank Pinkus, by Caroline and Gerald Zack
IN HONOR OF
Rabbi Stern for all his help during our difficult time, by Emily Seidman and Teddy Seidman
RABBI JOSH KNOBEL DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF
Rabbi Josh Knobel for his help during Shiva, by Emily Seidman and Teddy Seidman
CANTOR EMMA LUTZ DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Shirley Ashkenas, by Sussan and Michael Shore
AARON MILKEN CENTER
IN MEMORY OF
Frank Pinkus, by Deena and Edward Nahmias
Barbara Seidman, by Terry and John Webster
EVE KURTIN FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Barbara Seidman, by Sussan and Michael Shore
Barbara Seidman, by Sandra and Shirley Siegel
MAX HESS LIBRARY FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Marjorie Hess, by Arlene Goldfarb
Marjorie Hess, by Amy and Ronald Ossip
Marjorie Hess, by Caryn and Bart Rosenblatt
SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND
IN MEMORY OF
Frank Pinkus, by Carrie Hasson
Laura Sherman and Ted Ward, by Susan and Jon Berger
YAHRZEIT FUND
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Ted Ward, by Carrie L. Hasson
Ted Ward, by Sylvia Ward
