Eyes on Wise 10.18.18

Our Power of Creation
By Rabbi Josh Knobel
Just two weeks ago, Jews throughout the world celebrated as we completed reading the Pentateuch and turned immediately to the beginning chapters of Genesis, which illustrate how God creates the world, gently filling the universe with light, heavenly hosts, water, vegetation, animal life, and living beings created in the Divine image – humans.
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The Big Fill Update: Generous Donation from Jerry Leigh of California Leads to Second Container
The Big Fill is making tremendous headway as we continue to fill our giant shipping container with donations of clothing, toys, and needed medical supplies that will be shipped to children and families in Syria. It is with tremendous gratitude that we wish to thank member Andrew Leigh and his family for an incredible donation of 59,000 pieces of clothing – enough to fill a second container! Andrew is the CEO of Jerry Leigh of California (founded by his father, Jerry Leigh, Z”L) and their office is now working with our partners Save the Syrian Children to send this full second shipment halfway around the world to make an enormous difference in the lives of innocent victims of the fighting.

Here’s how YOU can help:

1. Fill our container with gently-used clothing and toys
2. Purchase new items from our Amazon Wish List
3. Post WiseLA.org/TheBigFill on your own Facebook page

Singer/Composer Elana Arian to Visit Wise as Artist-in-Residence
Stephen Wise Temple is excited to welcome singer, composer, and songwriter Elana Arian to visit campus for a special weekend of music and inspiration on November 9-10. She will join Friday night Soulful Shabbat services, bringing her unique and talented voice to our worship. This special Soulful (at an earlier time) will also feature the premiere of the Wise Religious School choir who will accompany Elana, having learned many of her beautiful new melodies for classic songs. On Saturday, Elana will co-lead Shabbat morning services with Rabbi Sari Laufer and Cantor Emma Lutz for a prayerful and spiritual musical experience.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9
6:15 p.m. | Soulful Shabbat Services with Guest Elana Arian, featuring the Wise Religious School Choir
7:30 p.m. | Soulful Shabbat Dinner
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10
9 a.m. | Lay-led Torah Study
10 a.m. | Shabbat Morning Services with Guest Elana Arian
LISTEN TO MUSIC BY ELANA ARIAN
WATCH VIDEOS

Featured Event

Center for Jewish Life presents
Museums with Mario: The Broad
Tuesday, October 23 at 11 a.m.
Discover and appreciate the vast cultural offerings that Los Angeles affords us. Smaller, more traditional museums and larger encyclopedic institutions are on the line-up for the 2018-19 season. Artist-in-Residence Mario M. Muller escorts intimate groups to these pillars of aesthetics while offering historical context, fascinating anecdotes, and personal reflections that will leave your eyes thirsting for more. Fees and parking apply. Registration is limited!
REGISTER HERE 

This Week’s Torah Portion: Lech Lecha

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19
6:15 p.m. Shabbat Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Ron Stern and Cantor Emma Lutz

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20
Shabbat Morning Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel and Cantor Emma Lutz
9 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

NEXT WEEK:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26
6:15 Shabbat Service | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Bryan Zive and Cantor Nathan Lam

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27
Shabbat Morning Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Ron Stern and Cantor Emma Lutz
9 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

Learning Opportunities with Clergy
Bible Study with Rabbi Ron Stern: Monday, October 22 at 9 a.m. | Temple Conference Room
Talmud Study with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback: Wednesday, October 24 at 12 p.m. | Udko Annex

Share your photos and memories of Rabbi Stern with us! Email Jennifer Smith, Director of Programming, at [email protected] by October 19.
Join us as we show our gratitude and appreciation for Rabbi Stern’s commitment to tikkun olam and our mission to make meaning and change the world. To honor Rabbi Stern’s 20 years of service, our community will participate in 20 ways to change the world and make an impact in the lives of those in need.
LEARN MORE ON OUR WEB SITE
SEND YOUR MESSAGES OF MAZAL TOV TO RABBI STERN

Melton School Offers Limited Spots for Courses on Arab/Israeli Conflict and Mysticism
Wise’s award-winning Melton School is proud to open registration for adult education classes to those who have never enrolled in a Melton course before. Two classes may be of particular interest: Beyond Borders: History of the Arab/Israeli Conflict and Introduction to Mysticism. There are no prerequisites for these courses and very limited spots are still available!
Contact Rabbi Karen Strok to learn more and register.

Open Gym Returns with New Fall Dates
Stephen Wise Temple members and staff are invited to play pick-up basketball in our beautiful new Katz Family Pavilion athletics facility. Bring your A-game and up to two friends to show off your hoops skills. Open gym is completely free.
Only persons 18 and over are eligible. Please wear appropriate gym clothing. Waivers must be signed upon entry.
Tuesdays: 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 11/27, 12/4, NO 12/11, 12/18, and NO 12/25
Thursdays: 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, NO 11/15, NO 11/22, 11/29, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20, and 12/27
LEARN MORE
SIGN UP HERE

The Joy of Challah 
Sunday, October 21 at 10:30 a.m.
Join “Wise Women” from across our community as we kick off the world-wide Challah Bake week. Over bubbly and light brunch—we will mix, knead, braid, bond and learn. You will go home with a challah all ready to bake and freeze for Shabbat, and with connections to the “Wise Women” you have known for years, or only met that day! This event is open to members AND guests, so bring your mom, sister, cousin, and BFF!
RSVP HERE

Bet Tzedek Training for Lawyers and Legal Professionals
Sunday, October 21 at 10 a.m. | Wise Campus
Help families and children in danger of deportation and family separation. Bet Tzedek is training legal professionals to volunteer at document-drafting clinics for those undocumented parents interested in having documents such as a Caregiver’s Affidavit drafted on their behalf. These clinics are being held at various community locations throughout Los Angeles County and are supplemented by regularly held clinics at Bet Tzedek’s offices. Wise will offer a brief training at Wise for the legal professional community to assist Bet Tzedek at the clinics.
Those who are eligible will receive MCLE credit.
RSVP HERE
CONTACT RABBI RON STERN to learn more.

Center for Jewish Life presents
Kabbalah: An Elevated Path with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
Tuesdays: October 30, November 6, 27 | 7-8:30 p.m.
Kabbalah is associated with a range of Jewish mysticism. Interestingly, the word “kabbalah” means “that which is received.” In our study we will open ourselves to a higher level of consciousness so that we can look at the world differently—to see God where we may not have seen God before. Ultimately, we study Kabbalah to make ourselves better: kinder, deeper, more aware of our soul. We take this path not only to elevate our thoughts but also in the hope that kabbalah will impact our daily behavior. Join this mystical, yet surprisingly practical, journey toward an elevated and kinder life.
REGISTER HERE 

Jews United for Democracy and Justice, Community Advocates, and Stephen Wise Temple present
Elections 2018 and the Crisis of American Conservatism
with Max Boot and Patt Morrison
Introductory remarks by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
Monday, November 5 at 7:30 p.m. | Stephen Wise Temple
Historian and best-selling author Max Boot will join Pulitzer Prize and Emmy Award-winner Patt Morrison for this discussion of American Conservatism on the eve of the midterm elections. This special evening is seventh in the Community Conversation series funded by Wise’s partners Jews United for Democracy and Justice and Community Advocates. Admission is free but RSVP is required.
RSVP HERE

Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion presents
Symposium 2
November 11-12 | Stephen Wise Temple
Join esteemed clergy and scholars from all around the world, including members of our own clergy team, for HUC-JIR’s Symposium 2, an engaging exploration of ideas and attitudes. Nowadays, there is “my news” and “your news,” “your truth” and “my truth,” and consensus about facts is increasingly elusive. Even the university, once the place where young minds pursued “veritas,” is more likely today to teach its students the postmodern prioritization of subjectivity over objectivity, discourse over reality, perspective over universal truth. Against this backdrop, HUC-JIR Symposium 2 will explore the various ways in which contemporary Jews grapple with the concept of the truth.
Wise Member discount available.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

An Israeli Navy SEAL (“M”) in Dialogue with Rabbi David Woznica
The Journey of an Elite IDF Naval Commando from Military Excellence to Civilian Leadership
Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at 7:30 p.m.
Join us for the extraordinary story of an American who left his university to join the Israel Defense Forces and ultimately became part of one of the most elite units in the IDF, the Israeli Navy SEALs. 

Each year, 20,000 young men try out and 40 or fewer are ultimately selected to serve in Shayetet-13, the Israeli Navy SEALs. Known as “men of silence,” these elite naval commandos fight the war between the wars, undertaking covert missions beyond Israel’s borders. They train for six months longer than other IDF units and commit at least 20 more months of total service. This rare American-born Israeli Navy SEAL joins Rabbi Woznica to discuss his personal journey, serving in this elite and storied unit, its strict moral calculus, and how he uses the skills he learned on active duty in his daily civilian life. 

$15: Stephen Wise Temple Members
$20: General Public

This program presented in partnership with American Friends of Israel Navy SEALs (AFINS).
REGISTER NOW

Bet Tzedek Family Preparedness Training
Sunday, November 18 at 11:30 a.m. | Wise Campus
Help families and children in danger of deportation and family separation without any legal background necessary. Many of our congregants have called to ask what they can do to respond to the recent and intensive efforts to deport undocumented individuals. While we cannot physically block the deportation proceedings against those who are undocumented, children often remain behind when their parents are removed from the United States. Thousands of children are at risk of being left without anyone with the legal authority to enroll the child in school or authorize medical treatment if their undocumented parents are removed from the country. Together with Bet Tzedek we are offering a brief training at Wise to the non-legal community so that anyone can assist Bet Tzedek at clinics that are held throughout the city. This meeting is specifically designed for volunteers to assist families by serving as translators, greeters, and supporters at the clinic.
RSVP HERE
CONTACT RABBI RON STERN to learn more

UCLA Nazarian Center for Israel Studies presents
I’m a Civil War – Film Screening and Director Q&A
Wednesday, October 17 at 6:15 p.m. | UCLA Campus
The “poet of independence” Haim Gouri (1923-2018) was a prominent member of Israel’s founding generation and one of the nation’s most important poets, authors, and intellectual thinkers. The documentary film I’m a Civil War follows Gouri’s journey as a poet against the backdrop of – and through his involvement in – critical moments in the history of Israel
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

Walk4FriendshipLA
Sunday, October 21 at 1:30 p.m. | Shalhevet High School (910 S. Fairfax Ave)
This annual 2k walk raises vital funds and community awareness for Friendship Circle of Los Angeles — a nonprofit organization for that brings joy, cheer, and respite to children with special needs and their families. Walk4FriendshipLA begins with an inspirational opening ceremony followed by a 2k walk. Upon reaching the finish line, walkers enjoy a post-walk celebration with entertainment, activities, food, and much more!
REGISTER HERE

Jewish Center for Justice presents
Discussion on Jewish Communal Issues
with Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom
Sunday, October 28 at 9 a.m. | Valley Beth Shalom (15739 Ventura Blvd.)
Join us for a conversation with California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom. Jewish Center for Justice Executive Director Rabbi Joel Simonds and Valley Beth Shalom Senior Rabbi Ed Feinstein will lead this event which will include remarks by Lt. Gov. Newsom as well as an opportunity for Q&A.
RSVP HERE

UCLA Nazarian Center for Israel Studies presents
Translation as a Bridge? Literary Encounters between Israeli & American Jewish Cultures
Monday, October 29 at 12:15 p.m. | UCLA Campus
How do the Hebrew translation and reception of literary works by Jewish-American writers, and the English translation of works by Israeli authors, reflect competing Jewish identities in Israel and the US? New Center Postdoctoral Fellow Omri Asscher will explore how each Jewish cultural center has responded to the challenge – and potential inspiration – represented by the other.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

We remember with love those who died in recent days and weeks:

Farangis Ghadooshahy, Jeffrey Linden, Sidney Robinson, Lila Rumack

We observe the yahrzeits of:

Ida Alpert*, Warren Appel, Naomi Attie*, Mollie Barron, Eugene Berman, Esther Friedman Gordon, Hyman Glick *, Ruth Estelle Goldstein*, Samuel Greenberg*, Samuel A. Haberman*, Julius Hartman*, Ethel Horowitz, Jacob Horowitz, Miriam Kahn, Beatrice Kamer*, Saul H. Kassan, Sidney Kossman*, Pearl Lerner*, Dr. I.L. Levin, Shirley Marie Marks*, Eva Miller*, Susan Richards Morris*, Nathan F. Nairin*, Gershon Lazarus Oliensis*, Dr. Philip P. Popick*, Ann Rosenberg*, Arthur V. Schneider*, Eleanor Schwartz*, Rose K. Schwartz*, Merle Sharpe*, Flora Silton*, Paul K. Singer, David Speigel*, Jacob Spillman, Albert Tomin*, Albert Tuch*, Tillie Teresa Wald *, Phillip Weinstein*, Morris S. Young, Morris Zeldin*, Jennie Kael Zucker*

*Designated on our memorial walls

We reach out as a community and offer our support and deepest sympathy to those among us who are mourning the loss of a loved one.

Linda Linden on the loss of her husband Jeffrey Linden.
Richard and Jeanne Hersh on the loss of Richard’s mother Myra Hersh.

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!

Phillip and Shannon Rahimzadeh on the birth of their son Nicholas Joseph Rahimzadeh.

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

Tanaz and Peyman Banooni on their daughter Maya Banooni becoming Bat Mitzvah.

We honor our loved ones, our family simchas, our communal losses through charitable giving. To give in honor or in memory of a cherished family member or dear friend please visit WiseLA.org/Giving.

RABBI RON STERN DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Rabbi Stern, for officiating at Edward Rosenson’s memorial, by Susan Rosenson
Rabbi Stern, for officiating at the naming ceremony of Hannah Riley / Chaya Ariella, by Bryan and Bethany Schwartz
Rabbi Stern, for officiating at Siena’s bat mitzvah service, by Cindy Capeloto

RABBI JOSH KNOBEL DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Rabbi Knobel, for officiating at the unveiling of Aaron Cohen, by Sandra Cohen

CANTOR NATHAN LAM DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:    
Cantor Lam, for officiating at Siena’s bat mitzvah service, by Cindy Capeloto
Cantor Lam, in appreciation and gratitude, by Dahlia Zakhor

GENERAL CLERGY DONATION
IN MEMORY OF:
Arthur V. Schneider, by Flora Schneider

MAX HESS LIBRARY FUND EARLY CHILDHOOD
IN HONOR OF:
Laurie Ackerman, for hosting the 2^nd Day Rosh Hashanah Luncheon, by Francine Myberg

DIENER AND KADNER FAMILIES LIBRARY FUND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
IN MEMORY OF:
Morris S. Young, by Barbara Young Leff and Family

WISE SCHOOL GENERATIONS ENDOWMENT
IN HONOR OF:
Jeremy Rosen, for being nominated for District Judge of the US District Court – Central District of California, by Edward and Deena Nahmias

TOBY & SAUL KASSAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Saul H. Kassan, by Michael and Ronnie Kassan

WISE HEARTS
IN MEMORY OF:
Esther Friedman Gordon, by Phil and Olivia Gordon

CYE SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Hyman J. Glick, by Michael and Gail Glick

YAHRZEIT FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Miriam Kahn, by Arthur and Ginny Kahn
P.P. Popick, by Frank, Mark & Lya Pinkus
Mollie Barron, by Arnold and Barbara Barron
Eugene Berman, by Helen Berman
Warren Appel, by Loretta Appel

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN 18/19
IN MEMORY OF:
Paul K. Singer, by Sydell Singer
Ethel Horowitz, by Sydell Singer
Jacob Horowitz, by Sydell Singer 

We appreciate our wonderful volunteers:

Nosh Volunteer:
Susan Firestone

Gift Shop Volunteers:
Terrie Baumann
Rochelle Fox
Lori Rubin
Carol Sookman

Lunch Bunch Volunteers
Assisting LA Family Housing
Janis Berkman
Norma Cooper
Harry and Ilene Jacobs
Diane Kabat
Shelly Levy
Freda Moscowitz
Sheila Rosenberg
Shirley Sniderman
Joan Spiegel

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