Wise fundraising helps another United Hatzalah plane evacuate Ukrainian refugees
This April, the combined fundraising efforts of Stephen Wise Temple and Congregation B'nai Jeshurun of Short Hills, N.J., helped fund a plane of Ukrainian refugees from Moldova to Israel through United Hatzalah of Israel's Operation Orange Wings. On Thursday night, another flight made possible by that campaign landed at Ben-Gurion Airport. "Our community not only answered the call to help those in need this spring, but they went above and beyond," said [...]
Wise Readers to Leaders “Rock the Clock” fundraiser set for July 20
MISS ROCK THE CLOCK? YOU CAN STILL DONATE HERE! Wise Readers to Leaders, Stephen Wise Temple's flagship literacy outreach program, is celebrating its 11th summer. On Wednesday, July 20, you will have the chance to ensure that this transformational program continues for decades to come by participating in our annual Rock the Clock fundraiser. Starting at 9 a.m., we aim to raise as much as we can over [...]
Stephen Wise Temple’s Katz Pavilion hosts in-person ADL Gala
This past weekend, for the first time since 2019, ADL Los Angeles hosted its annual Gala Celebration in person, honoring Faith Cookler at Stephen Wise Temple's award-winning Katz Family Pavilion. Among the over 450 in attendance were Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Cookler was presented with the Deborah Award for her tireless service to ADL’s causes both locally and nationally. Cookler, a former ADL Regional Board President, [...]
Wise members and L.A. Family Housing to host Fuel for School Festival
On August 6, Stephen Wise Temple Center for Tikkun Olam partner L.A. Family Housing will host its first annual Fuel For School Festival in Pacoima, with Wise members leading the charge. Following the helpful guidance of Rabbi Ron Stern, Wise members Emily and Brian Soloway are spearheading the event, which aims to not only excite underserved and struggling families about the upcoming school year, but to provide much-needed supplies. Those supplies can [...]
Search for Meaning with Matthew Waksman and Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
In the latest edition of his Search for Meaning podcast, Stephen Wise Temple Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback hosts Matthew Waksman, a brand strategy partner at Ogilvy in Great Britain, one of the top marketing agencies in the world. Having experienced antisemitism as a young man growing up in London, Waksman wrote a stirring article about anti-Zionism and antisemitism in December of 2021: "When it comes to social [...]
Stephen Wise Temple Clergy Response to Dobbs v. Jackson
Stephen Wise Temple clergy speak out on Dobbs v. Jackson, reproductive rights, and reproductive justice. "Be fruitful and multiply." —Genesis 1:28 From the earliest words of the Torah, our tradition understands reproduction as a sacred act. All of us who have been—or yearn to be—parents know that it is a process imbued with joy, holiness, and anxiety. We have, many of us, sat in waiting rooms; we have received good news and [...]