This Week at Wise 5.11.17

And Your Sons and Daughters Will Be Prophets

by Cantor Emma Lutz

“And your sons and daughters will be prophets, and the old shall dream dreams, and the youth shall see visions.” – Joel 3:1

This past weekend, Stephen Wise Temple was buzzing with the energy of the next generation of Jewish leaders and dreamers. On Friday night, our Primary Choir led meaningful prayers and joyful songs from our bima during Shabbat services.

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An Important Announcement About 2017-18 Board Elections

Thank you to the hundreds of members who made their voices heard and voted in our recent elections for new representatives to our Board of Directors. Your support and involvement is what makes our Stephen Wise Temple and Schools community able to make meaning and change the world.

Congratulations to our newly-elected 2017-18 Board and committee members: David Clark, Dana Ehrlich, Robert Glassman, Lori Goodman, Shelly Levy, Heidi Praw, Golareh Ramin, Felice Williams, and Phil Wolman (as a new Congregational Fund Trustee). Thank you and congratulations to our continuing members of the Board and committees.

We also wish to express our gratitude to the Board members completing their terms at the end of June. Our community is stronger due to your commitment and service. Kol HaKavod to Mahyar Dardashti, Afshine Emrani, Ariel Goldenstein, Jonathan Levey, and Andrew Sipes.

Thanks also to Ed Nahmias for his years of service on the Executive Committee as he now becomes a Board-elected Director, and to Board member Steve Bram as he now becomes an Executive Committee member.

And of course, thank you to our Nominating Committee for all of their incredible effort and dedication: Glenn Sonnenberg (Chair), Joyce Anderson, Larry Gotlieb, Sezin Hason, Daniel Heyman, Jodi Kirkbride, Corie Koss, Chet Kronenberg, Dina Levy, Sid Marantz, Steve Meister, Ed Nahmias, Judi Niver, and Michael Wachtell.

READ ABOUT OUR NEWLY-ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS

Balfour Declaration Centennial Trip to Israel and London

October 23 — November 3, 2017

Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and President Steven J. Fishman

“His Majesty’s government views with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people,” begins the momentous Balfour Declaration (November 2, 1917), making world history and changing the story for future generations of Jews. Commemorate the Declaration’s centennial in Israel and in London with your Stephen Wise Temple community.

View the itinerary and pricing

REGISTER NOW

Worship

This Week’s Torah Portion: Emor

FRIDAY, MAY 12

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service | Sanctuary

Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Nathan Lam

The topic of Rabbi Yoshi’s sermon will be: “Three lessons from my recent trip to Israel“

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Saturday Morning Minyan and Torah Study

9 a.m. Torah Study

10 a.m. Minyan Worship Service
Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel and Cantor Paul Dorman

Potluck lunch following our service

Worship Services Next Week

Tot Shabbat featuring the Beat Buds

Friday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m. | Plaza

Gather together with our community for a festive service and dinner with kid-friendly entertainment from the Beat Buds! Rabbi Josh Knobel and Cantor Emma Lutz will lead our music- and story-filled service that introduces the youngest members of our community to the joy of Shabbat. Parents and grandparents will love it too!

Recommended for kids up to age 5

REGISTER HERE FOR DINNER

Shabbat Services

Friday, May 19 at 6:15 p.m. | Plotkin Chapel

Led by Rabbi David Woznica and Cantor Emma Lutz

CYE Graduation Soulful Shabbat

Friday, May 19

Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Service: 8 p.m.

Celebrate our WTY high school graduating class as well as all other graduating seniors in our community at this special Shabbat service. We will also honor and show our gratitude for Andrea Gardenhour and her years of service to our Center for Youth Engagement.

REGISTER FOR DINNER BY MAY 12

Shavuot With Wise

Community Tikkun L’eyl Shavuot

Tuesday, May 30 at 7 p.m. | Valley Beth Shalom

Join the Stephen Wise Temple clergy and our friends from 8 other Jewish organizations as we gather for an evening of learning and action in celebration of Shavuot. In addition to learning with our clergy and clergy members from all over Los Angeles, guest Mark Hetfield (President of Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) will speak about how to provide aid for refugees worldwide.

7 p.m.: Blintzes and Nosh

7:30 p.m.: Conversation with Mark Hetfield

9:15 p.m.: Breakout Study Sessions with Clergy

10:15 p.m.: Dessert followed by Late Night Study

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Shavuot Morning and Yizkor Service

Wednesday, May 31 at 10 a.m.

Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel, Cantor Nathan Lam, and Cantor Emma Lutz

Celebrate the Feast of Weeks at our morning Shavuot Service. We will also recite Yizkor prayers and remember our loved ones with kavod and meaning.

Center for Social Justice

Wise Readers to Leaders Volunteer Opportunities

INFO SESSION: Thursday, May 25 at 6 p.m.

If you can read this, you can make a difference!

Wise Readers to Leaders (formerly Wise Freedom School) is Stephen Wise Temple’s flagship literacy program for underserved LAUSD students. 275 students spend six weeks each summer in literacy enrichment programs hosted at Wise Temple, AJU, and Milken Middle School. Adult volunteers are invited to support our Literacy Leaders in the classrooms, join us on field trips, and share their special skills. Volunteer once a week for a couple hours, or more. For more information and to learn how you can get involved, please contact Olivia LaViolette, Wise Readers to Leaders Program Manager, at [email protected] or by phone at 323-383-6561.

Community

Spring Music Festival

Monday, May 15 at 7 p.m.

Hear the incredible talents of our Wise School music students at our annual concert. The program, featuring Concert Orchestra, Vocal Ensemble, Rock Band, Jazz Band, Primary Choir, and members of the cast of The Lion King, will celebrate music of early Israel and music of the movies. This evening of music and fun is open to all!

Daditude

Sunday, May 21 at 10 a.m.

Hang out with a fun group of Stephen Wise Temple dads who get together on Sunday mornings for a group play-date, some guy time, and a breakfast nosh. This is a fantastic way to spend some quality time with your preschooler (5 years old and younger) in a safe, contained environment. Join Rabbi Josh Knobel for some informal learning. Get your Sunday started right with a little Daditude!

Recommended for kids up to age 5.

RSVP HERE

Israel Air Force Center Foundation Annual Gala

Sunday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m.

Stephen Wise Temple

Featuring a private acoustic concert by Matisyahu. All proceeds will benefit the IAF Center youth leadership training program.

Dinner is included (dietary laws observed) For questions please call 310.274.2314. Space is limited, purchase tickets now!

REGISTER ONLINE 

Rosh Chodesh Women’s Minyan

Wednesday, May 24 at 8:15 a.m.

Join us to celebrate Rosh Chodesh at Stephen Wise Temple — a beautiful experience of prayer for women by women filled with Torah, poetry, song, love, community, and friendship. Led by Cantor Emma Lutz, Andrea Gardenhour, MAJE, and our amazing Rosh Hodesh lay leadership. This will be our last Rosh Chodesh Minyan until after the High Holy Days, don’t miss it!

RSVP HERE

An Evening with Mary Itri for Performing Arts Alumni and Alumni Parents

Wednesday, May 24 at 5 p.m. | Tyberg Innovation Lab

Celebrate 19 years of Mary Itri’s incredible contribution to performing arts at Wise School over drinks, appetizers, and conversation. Head of School Tami Weiser will also moderate a Q&A with Mary. This event is free. Please RSVP by Friday, May 19.

RSVP HERE 

West Coast Jewish Theatre presents

Bermuda Avenue Triangle: A Play Reading

Sunday, June 4 at 3 p.m.

As part of the WCJT’s ongoing play reading series, join Cantor Nathan Lam along with an esteemed cast of actors as they read a new work by Renee Taylor and Joe Bologna, directed by Howard Teichman. There will be a cocktail reception following the reading. Tickets for Wise members are just $25.

CALL 323.821.2449 FOR TICKETS

Community Bulletin

UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies presents

Israel in 3D: Civil Society in Action

Sunday, May 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

UCLA Covel Commons, Grand Horizon Ballroom

Join the Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies’ fifth “Israel in 3D” conference! Israeli civil society is vibrant, active, and diverse. Citizens are stepping forward to address critical societal issues, from civil rights and a shared society to economic disparities, gender equality, education, and religious pluralism. Activists from all sectors, including socially-conscious entrepreneurs, are driving change. The conference will feature a diverse and dynamic group of civic leaders, artists, and social impact entrepreneurs.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE

Lifecycle • Mazal Tov

Shehechianu Moment

Do you have a milestone birthday or anniversary approaching? We’d like to celebrate your special day on the bima during Friday evening Shabbat Services! Invite your family, join your Wise community, make it a “shehechianu moment” – a time to give thanks for life, health, and the blessings that enable you to reach this great moment in your life. Let us know by emailing Arlene Spiegelman or calling 310.889.2272 and she’ll make sure to schedule a date that works for you. We’d love to share your celebration!

Wishing you a future filled with joy and blessings. 

Mazal tov to:

Audrey and Seth Rosen on the engagement of their daughter Rebecca Rosen to Benjamin Arfa

Soheila and Albert Halimi on the marriage of Soheila’s sister Ziba Ramin to Greyson Terrio

Steven and Elissa Weiss on the marriage of their son Darren Weiss to Miranda Freiberg

To our B’nai Mitzvah  —  may the Torah guide and inspire you every day of your adult life.

Mazal tov to:

Neda and Ivan Nikkhoo on their son Nathan Nikkhoo becoming Bar Mitzvah.

Shiva and Ramin Melamed on their son Brandon Melamed becoming Bar Mitzvah.

Lori and Randy Moss on their daughter Kayla Moss becoming Bat Mitzvah.

Lifecycle • Tributes

We honor people through charitable giving.

RABBIS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND

IN MEMORY OF:

Lola Gross, by Bobbi and Peter Feinstein

Susie Kimmel, by Linda and Michael Hoffenberg

Myrna Raffkind, by Sally and Wade Monroe

Dr. Bertram John Allenstein, by the Joel Marcus Family

Tommy Berger, by Joyce, Margie and Bob Berger and Scott Carpinteri

CANTORS’ DISCRETIONARY FUND

IN HONOR OF:

Cantor Nathan Lam for officiating at the marriage of their daughter Stephanie (Stevie) Levy to Jason Malashock, by AnnDee and Jeff Levy

the marriage of Alana Smith and Jonathan Dintzer, by Bobbi and Peter Feinstein

IN MEMORY OF:

David B. Rubin, by Debbie and Mike Gordon

AFSANEH YOUSEFZADEH MEMORIAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND

IN MEMORY OF:

Afsaneh Yousefzadeh, by Yassi and Justin Lancer

Gene Salzman, by Linda and David Salzman

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND

IN MEMORY OF:

Edith Gad and Beatrice Ruderman, by her family

METUKA BENJAMIN SCHOLARSHIP FUND

IN MEMORY OF:

Lola Gross, by Heidi and Albert Praw

WISE SCHOOL GENERATIONS ENDOWMENT

IN HONOR OF:

Mary Itri for your dedication to performing arts at Wise School, by Diane and Gary Schaffel

IN MEMORY OF:

Scott Lew, by Sherry Popper

CYE SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND

IN MEMORY OF:

Frances Friedman, by Gail and Steve Friedman

PRAYER BOOK FUND

IN MEMORY OF:

Lila Otelsberg, by Jerry, Scott, Emily, Charlotte, and Finley Otelsberg and Michelle and Eric Massi

2016-17 WISE SCHOOL ANNUAL GIVING FUND

IN MEMORY OF:

Stephanie Milkes and Saul Rubenstein, by Maureen and Paul Milkes and Carol Oleesky

2016-17 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

IN MEMORY OF:

Wendie Milliken, by Jodie and Steve Fishman

DIENER AND KADNER FAMILIES LIBRARY FUND

IN MEMORY OF:

Dorelle Lyons, by Sid Lyons

YAHRZEIT FUND

IN MEMORY OF:

Roya Arastoozadeh, by the Arastoozadeh Family

Gertrude Krasnow, by Joyce and Paul Krasnow

David Jordan Pianko, by Robin and Ira Pianko

Morton Caplan, by Elinor Olden Caplan

Harriett Joffee, by Nancy Levin

Dorothy Siegel, by Bob, Renee, Logan and Brent Siragusa

Gertrude Linden, by Linda and Jeff Linden

To make a donation in someone’s honor or in memory of a loved one, please visit wisela.org/giving.

Temple Gift Shop

Having a Bar or Bat Mitzvah this year? We have new tallitot for boys and girls, as well as new mezuzot and lots of other items. Visit the gift shop for 20% off your tallit and yad purchases and 25% off all Passover items, except Haggadahs. Remember all our proceeds go to our schools to help our children.

Thank You

A Welcoming Community