Over forty years ago, the Wise community began its extraordinary foray into the education of children. Before any Reform Jewish institutions even considered the possibility of sponsoring their own day schools, Wise blazed a trail into the education of children in a Reform Jewish context. Thousands of children have experienced the stellar enrichment that combined Jewish identity with an exceptional secular education. Our dedication to the next generation of Jewish children has been paramount and front and center for our community.
Even as we continue to emphasize the continuing growth of our Jewish children, the Wise community has dedicated ourselves to all children in our broader community. We have supported The People Concern (formerly Ocean Park Community Center) and its work with children, we’ve sponsored the children of Beit Issie Shapiro in Israel, and some of our students have volunteered at School on Wheels. Ten years ago we opened our fourth school: Wise Readers to Leaders. Our literacy enrichment program provides hundreds of under-served children with a summer of learning and fun each year. Our teen volunteers provide math and reading tutoring to Wise Readers to Leaders scholars all year long.
With our commitment to CASA/LA we continue our affirmation that all children matter, even those at greatest risk. We hope that after reading our weeklong series of CASA testimonials, you’ll consider joining us for our CASA interest meeting on June 24.
— Rabbi Ron Stern