By Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
Even in Los Angeles, where we enjoy pretty terrific temperatures all year long, there’s something extra special about summertime. After Memorial Day, Shavuot, and the excitement surrounding our many end-of-the-school-year events, we all get a chance to take a deep breath, kick back, and relax.
The truth is, we all desperately need the opportunity to slow down, recharge our batteries, and connect with nature, family, and friends. Our tradition understands this and that’s why our ancestors invented Shabbat. One of our sages, the great Hasidic master Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav, added this prayer to his daily ritual: “May it be my custom to go outdoors each day among the trees and grass—among all growing things—and there may I enter into prayer to talk with One to whom I belong!”
Our 3rd Annual Stephen Wise Temple Shabbat Summer Tour kicks off in July with evening and morning hikes to explore nature and Torah with our clergy. In August we return to some of our favorite spots for music and prayer including Santa Monica Beach and Beverly Cañon Gardens for a special concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. Here on our Wise campus, we’ll enjoy outdoor services all summer long as we gather to celebrate Shabbat high atop our beautiful hill. We are, as always, blessed to be able to worship together in this truly awesome place.
On a personal note, I could not be more excited to bring a large group of Wise members on a family-friendly trip to Israel this July. You can follow our journey on Facebook, Instagram, and on our web site as we share our photos and videos from this special trip. I’ll also have the honor of celebrating B’nai Mitzvah ceremonies with a number of our Wise School graduates in Jerusalem. If you’d like to arrange for our clergy to help your family celebrate a simcha in our People’s homeland, contact us at [email protected]