Wise High Holy Day Tikkun Olam Efforts Help Those in Need
During the High Holy Days, the Stephen Wise Temple and Schools community did its part to help the underserved and housing insecure of Los Angeles. Wise's Yom Kippur Family Mitzvah Project gave families a chance to give back, as they donated toiletries and everyday supplies for Hope the Mission and assembled over 30 hygiene bags for families who will be temporarily housed at the [...]
Help Sort High Holy Day Clothing Drive Donations
Volunteer Collective's Interfaith Layer Up Warm Clothing Drive: Sorting and Distributing During the High Holy Days, the Stephen Wise Temple and Schools community collected hundreds of pounds of warm winter clothing for underserved LAUSD students and their families. Wise was one of nearly 30 collection locations for Volunteer Collective's Interfaith Layer Up Clothing Drive. Now, it's time to sort and distribute those items and all the others collected at synagogues [...]
High Holy Day Sermon 2023 | 5784: Rabbi Ron Stern’s Yizkor Sermon
On the afternoon of Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, Stephen Wise Temple Rabbi Ron Stern delivered a sermon on the difficulty of mourning those with whom we have troubled relationships during the Yizkor service for Yom Kippur at Katz Family Pavilion. You can view and read our other High Holy Day sermons, music, and photos on our High Holy Day Highlights page. Transcript of Rabbi Ron Stern's Yizkor [...]
Wise Stories: Wise Members Share Experiences at High Holy Days 2023 | 5784
There was renewed energy and wonderful spirit at home here on our mountaintop during the High Holy Days this year. In addition to the incredible music, meaningful sermons, and uplifting prayers, members Bryan Behar, Sheryl Cooper, Rabin Pournazarian, and Alex Raminfar shared heartfelt, personal stories of their time at Wise. Each, in their own way, emphasized how Wise has been a home—a haven—through the joys and sorrows of life, [...]
Wise School Teacher Sarah Shpall Wins 2023 Jewish Educator Award
When Wise School sixth-grade teacher Sarah Shpall was told early last week that there would be an all-school assembly on Thursday morning, she expressed frustration. She went directly to head of school Tami Weiser's office and said, "What are we doing?" Holding an assembly with such late notice would cut into instruction time, she argued to Head of School Tami Weiser. It is that very commitment and dedication [...]
High Holy Day Sermon 2023 | 5784: Rabbi Ron Stern’s Yom Kippur Sermon
On Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, Stephen Wise Temple Rabbi Ron Stern delivered a sermon on living in the moment for Yom Kippur afternoon services at Katz Family Pavilion. You can view and read our other High Holy Day sermons, music, and photos on our High Holy Day Highlights page. Transcript of Rabbi Ron Stern's Sermon: "Choosing to be a Participant in Our Own Lives" I loved Jewish [...]