Out of the darkness there was a voice: “Let there be light.” And there was light.
By Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
Light from darkness…

It’s what we’ve been working so hard at these past few weeks.

Our prayers…
Our turning towards our best selves…
Our tzedakah – our righteous giving…
READ MORE

 

HUC-JIR Will Hold 2018 Symposium on Wise Campus
Discounted Registration Available for Wise members

Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion will hold its second annual two-day conference “Symposium 2” on the Stephen Wise Temple campus on November 11 and 12. This exciting and informative event will bring together clergy and scholars from all around the world, including guest panelist Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, for an engaging exploration of ideas and attitudes. This year’s theme will be “These Truths We Hold: Judaism in an Age of Truthiness” and will include panels and lectures featuring scholars, journalists, screenwriters, and clergy addressing topics such as truth and science; fake news; truth in Talmud; art and literature; and much more.

Wise members will receive an exclusive earlybird rate of $150 (25% off the general public rate) until October 19. Follow the registration link and on the payment page select “Stephen Wise Temple member.”
REGISTER HERE
VIEW THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF SPEAKERS

 

Wise Will Welcome Senator Robert Hertzberg for Q&A on October 19
Dinner and forum will be first in series of opportunities for members to ask questions of elected officials.
As a public service, Stephen Wise Temple will invite elected officials (not currently campaigning) to engage with members in an open Q&A format over Shabbat dinner. Senator Robert “Bob” Hertzberg will be Wise’s guest for Shabbat services on Friday, October 19, and at dinner afterwards he will hold an open dialogue as a chance to answer pressing questions on the minds of constituents. Read more about Senator Hertzberg and his district on his web site.
REGISTER FOR DINNER

 

Rabbi Yoshi Kicks Off #DodgersChallenge2018 Against Atlanta
The Dodgers are back in the playoffs (for the 6th straight year!) and Rabbi Yoshi is throwing down another bet with our friends in a rival city. Watch his video challenging The Temple in Atlanta (and friends Rabbi Peter Berg and Rabbi Lydia Medwin) to a charity wager over the NLDS this weekend. Go Blue!
WATCH VIDEO

 
 

 
Worship

This Week’s Torah Portion: Beresheet

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5
6:15 p.m. DK/Kindergarten Shabbat Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel and Cantor Emma Lutz

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6
Shabbat Morning Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi David Woznica and Cantor Paul Dorman
9 a.m. Torah Study
10 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

9 a.m. Wise Baby Playdate | ECC Room A

10 a.m. Tot Shabbat | Wise Woods
Led by Rabbi Josh Knobel

NEXT WEEK:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12
6:15 Shabbat Service | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Emma Lutz

8 p.m. Soulful Shabbat Service | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Cantor Nathan Lam
REGISTER HERE FOR DINNER

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13
Shabbat Morning Services | Plotkin Chapel
Led by Rabbi Sari Laufer 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 8 at 9 a.m. Temple Conference Room
Talmud Study with Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback: Wednesday, October 10 at 12 p.m. | Udko Annex

 

 
 
Wise Bulletin Board
 

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 this 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: 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 11/27, 12/4, NO 12/11, 12/18, and NO 12/25
Thursdays: 10/11, 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

 

 
Upcoming Events
 

Rosh Hodesh Women’s Gathering
Wednesday, October 10 at 8:30 a.m.
Please join Wise women as we gather in learning, prayer, and community to celebrate the beginning of the month of Sivan. We will usher in the holiday of Shavuot, celebrating its themes of revelation, learning, growth, and compassion. As always, we’ll join in song and study, creating a time and space for reflection and connection. Bring a friend, bring your spirit, bring a song.
RSVP HERE

 

Wise Years
Thursday, October 11
10 a.m. | Registration Begins (note new time!)
10:30 a.m. | Program Begins
Our very popular program for members 60 years or better (and guests!) returns for another exciting year of fascinating speakers, quality films, games, and community-building. At our kick-off for 2018-19, hear from a Supreme Court blogger and expert about the current face of the Court and its future; learn about the November ballot initiatives through a non-partisan analysis with a representative from the League of Women Voters; and catch a lively documentary about the creators of the beloved children’s character Curious George.
BECOME AN ANNUAL WISE YEARS MEMBER
REGISTER FOR INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

 
Soulful Shabbat
Friday, October 12
Dinner | 6:30 p.m.
Services | 8 p.m.
Soulful Shabbat is a one-of-a-kind musical service, one of Wise’s most popular traditions. Join our clergy and our Soulful Shabbat musicians and singers for a spiritual evening featuring the rhythms and melodies our members have come to love.
REGISTER FOR DINNER
 

Lunch Bunch: Caring for the Stranger
Tuesday, October 16 at 5 p.m. | Sanctuary Building
Help our Lunch Bunch care for the stranger by assembling lunches for residents at LA Family Housing’s valley shelter. Delivery of the lunches will take place on the morning of Wednesday, October 17. Your help is greatly appreciated, especially in the summer months when school is not in session and many are traveling. To RSVP for Tuesday’s food preparation, or if you have questions, email Diane Kabat or call 818.981.5485.

 
 

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
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 

 

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

 

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

 

 
Community Calendar
 

ETTA presents
Don’t Fall Off the Cliff: Creating Bright and Sustainable Futures for Adults with Special Needs

Tuesday, October 16 at 7 p.m. | Beverly Hills Library (444 N. Rexford Dr.)
Speakers Claudia Wenger, MS, and Josh Taff, Director of Intake at ETTA, will lead an informative discussion about preparing for life after high school for those with special needs. Topics will include transitional IEP, employment and educational opportunities, financial planning, rights, and more. Admission is free but RSVP is required.
RSVP HERE or call 424.249.3300.

 

 
Lifecycle • Yahrzeits

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

Toba Barkohanai, Helen Dardashti Shadgoo, Farangis Ghadooshahy, John Goldsmith, Cliff Goldstein, Harvey Reisman, Sidney Robinson, Dr. Jeffrey Rosenberg, Edward Rosenson

We observe the yahrzeits of:

Maurice David Abracen*, Jack Baser*, Irwin Berton*, Sidney Morris Bornstein*, Florence Donner*, Hattie B. Frazin*, Joseph Friedman*, Abraham Goodwein*, Tillie E. Handler*, Andrea Loren Jacobs*, Retta Jacobson*, Sam Kramer*, Judson Laff, Nathan Lagin*, Anna A. Owles*, Herbert Pearlson, Elsie Pincus*, Marjorie F. Pirosh*, Leon Prensky*, Robert A. Resnick*, Bella Rosen*, Morris G. Rosenberg*, Alfred Sackler*, William Sinker*, Judith Steiber, Ethel Teitelbaum*, Marcella Turk, Ada Williams*, Ben Yousem*, Evelyn Zack*

*Designated on our memorial walls

 
Lifecycle • Condolences

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.

Farhad “Frank” and Shideh Ghadooshahy on the loss of Frank’s mother Farangis Ghadooshahy.

 
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!

Sydney Horowitz on the birth of her daughter Allura Saige Horowitz, granddaughter of Treci Maxwell-Horowitz and Robert Horowitz.

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

Rebeca Farca and Jorge Rivera on their son Alex becoming Bar Mitzvah this weekend.

 
Lifecycle • Tributes

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.

Thank you to those of you who made donations to the Wise Tikkun Olam Leadership Program Fund in honor of Rabbi Ron Stern! These gifts and your messages will be recognized on our website and at the event celebrating Rabbi Stern on November 2. Learn more here.

 

WISE TIKKUN OLAM LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
IN MEMORY OF:
Judson Laff, by Elene and Daniel Whalen

GENERAL CLERGY DISCRETIONARY FUND
IN HONOR OF:
The lovely high holiday services, by Betty Davidson

MAX HESS LIBRARY FUND EARLY CHILDHOOD
IN HONOR OF:
Laurie Ackerman, for her birthday, by the team at Alpert, Barr and Grant, APLC

JOSHUA ANDREW LEVY SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN HONOR OF:
Stanley Brack, Happy birthday and get well! Refuah shlema! By Shelly and Don Levy

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Sidney Goldstein, by Rob and Lori Goodman
Michael Levin, by Nancy Levin

ELSA RUBELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Morris Rosenberg, by Eileen Kravetz

WISE SCHOOL GENERATIONS ENDOWMENT
IN HONOR OF:
The Shore Family being honored with an Aliyah on Yom Kippur, by Sussan and Michael Shore
Lori and Leandro Tyberg and family, for the Sukkot celebration at their home, by Dana and Scott Ehrlich
Helen and Frank Ponder, for hosting a Sukkot celebration at their home, by Dana and Scott Ehrlich

YAHRZEIT FUND
IN MEMORY OF:
Marcella Turk, by Bill Feldman
Robert A. Resnick, by Carol Sookman and Family
Ada Williams, by Marilyn and David Williams
Abraham Goodwein, by Eleanora Goodwein
Zigmund Bleviss, by Eric and Michelle Massi
Herbert Pearlson, by Nina Leung, Bryan Leung and Family

18/19 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
IN HONOR OF:
Muriel Unatin, for her 95th birthday, by Enid Unatin

18/19 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN – Prayer Book Fund
IN MEMORY OF:
Harry Chayt, by Jerry, Scott, Emily, Charlotte & Finley Otelsberg and Michelle & Eric Massi  

 
Thank You

We appreciate our wonderful volunteers:

Nosh Volunteer:
Susan Firestone

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

 
A Welcoming Community
Have a great idea? Share it with us by submitting it to our online suggestion box.
SUGGESTIONS

Do you want to reach us? 
CONTACT LIST

Are you having a lifecycle event? Or would you like to be added to this email list? 
LET US KNOW

Would you like to get involved? Check out upcoming Temple and School events. 
VIEW CALENDAR

 
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Stephen Wise Temple | 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive | Los Angeles, CA 90077
Shabbat Shalom