Wise debuts discussion series: How do we talk about Israel?
On June 1, Stephen Wise Temple welcomed Professor Dov Waxman and Professor Masua Sagiv for the first of our three-part series, "How Do We Talk About Israel?" Rabbi Ron Stern, Richard Hirschhaut of American Jewish Committee/LA and Michelle Stone of the Hartman Institute developed the program and invited Wise Rabbi Sari Laufer, Profs. Waxman and Sagiv to discuss how to engage in critical conversations about Israel, Zionism, and antisemitism. Prof. Waxman currently serves as the [...]
Greater Zion joins Stephen Wise Temple for uplifting interfaith celebration
On Saturday, June 4, Stephen Wise Temple was joined by the Greater Zion Church Family for an interfaith celebration. Our clergy, led by Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Senior Cantor Emma Lutz, welcomed Greater Zion's Pastor Michael Fisher and his musical Praise Team as the two communities marked Shavuot and the Christian holiday of Pentecost with an evening of fellowship and learning. "It was really spectacular to have an interfaith celebration," said [...]
Wise School teams rank globally in Odyssey of the Mind championships
Two weeks ago, all three of the Wise School Odyssey of the Mind teams traveled to Iowa State University for the World Finals. Competing with hundreds of teams from around the globe, Wise School's fourth grade team took second place in the world, while the third grade team placed seventh, and the fifth grade team placed 17th. "I am so proud of our outstanding kids, their supportive parents, and our dedicated coaching [...]
Wise welcomes Andrew Paskil as Cantorial Intern Josh Goldberg takes position in Nashville
Stephen Wise Temple and Schools would like to congratulate our cantorial intern, Josh Goldberg, as he takes his next steps in his career. At the end of the school year, Goldberg will officially take his post as cantor at Congregation Micah, a reform synagogue in Nashville, Tenn. We will celebrate all Goldberg has brought to the Wise community in a special Shabbat service on June 17 with our clergy and the Stephen [...]
Wise Shabbat services to honor Melton Director Rabbi Karen Strok
On Friday, our Stephen Wise Temple Shabbat Evening Services will honor the contributions of Rabbi Karen Strok, who will be stepping down as Director of the Stephen Wise Temple Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning. We hope you will join us for the in-person outdoor service on Nahmias Plaza (or streaming live online at WiseLA.org/Online), as we pay tribute to Rabbi Strok for her tireless 12 years of service to the [...]
Stephen Wise Temple’s 70 Faces of Torah celebrates women rabbis
Our 70 Faces of Torah Shabbat Evening services on Friday were a celebration of women rabbis. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the historic ordination of Rabbi Sally J. Priesand, women rabbis from across Los Angeles led an evening of music, meaning, and learning in Katz Family Pavilion. Our celebration of women rabbis featured Rabbi Sari Laufer, Senior Cantor Emma Lutz, Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning at Wise's Rabbi Karen [...]