Introducing Sha’ar HaShamayim (Gateway to Heaven), the New Wise Machzor
It's here! The Wise clergy team could not be more excited to unveil the new High Holy Days machzor entitled Sha’ar HaShamayim (Gateway to Heaven). This new volume intended for meaningful worship is an exemplar of the Wise Way Forward values of creativity, generosity, and inclusivity. Incorporating themes, language, and traditions unique to the Wise community, Sha’ar HaShamayim is a celebration of Wise's past, present, and future. "Our machzor is designed to [...]
Message in the wake of the violence in Pittsburgh
Our tradition teaches that Shabbat is a time for celebration, rest, and renewal. It is our day of peace, our day of wholeness, our day of shalom. This morning, we learned of a shattered peace in the Pittsburgh Jewish community. We mourn the losses, we pray for the injured, and we find ourselves deeply troubled by the forces of hatred, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism that can lead to such despicable acts of hatred [...]
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 [...]
Wise Takes Home Honor at 48th Annual Los Angeles Architectural Awards
Los Angeles Business Council recognizes Katz Family Pavilion and Shalom Garden for outstanding achievement in design and construction. 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 [...]
An important message from your Stephen Wise Temple clergy
Dear Parents, It’s likely that you’ve heard about the tragic death by suicide of the eighth-grade student at the Buckley School. While details are not readily available, on some level the nature of suicide is such that attempting to seek a satisfactory understanding for such behavior will always remain elusive. The bottom line for you as a parent of teens and for those of us who work closely with teens is that the [...]
L.A. Synagogue Takes In 23 Torah Scrolls From Shuls In Path Of Raging Wildfires
Originally published in Forward, December 7, 2017 A Conservative synagogue in Los Angeles has taken in Torah scrolls from other Jewish institutions that are in the path of a major fire sweeping through the city. Scrolls from Leo Baeck Temple, Stephen Wise Temple, the American Jewish University, the Skirball Cultural Center and the Milken Community Schools were relocated to Valley Beth Shalom for safekeeping. Rabbi Noah Farkas of Valley Beth Shalom said [...]