Eyes on Wise 1.2.20

Z3 and Stephen Wise Temple present
Israel and America 2020: Spanning the Divide to Find Common Ground
Sunday, January 26 | Stephen Wise Temple

Wise’s Z3 Conference is an opportunity for thinkers and doers, movers and shakers to gather together to gain a deeper understanding of how we can speak to each other across our ideological divides when it comes to Israel and its position in today’s world. Our panelists will come from far and wide to participate in lively discussions of Israel’s culture, technology, politics, and media. With many more to be announced, Wise will welcome Gidi Grinstein, founder of The Reut Group; Yehuda Kurtzer and Chaya Gilboa of Shalom Hartman Institute; and Jodi Rudoren of Forward. For a full current lineup visit our web site.

Penn Shabbatones to Perform for Wise School Students 
Tuesday, January 7 | 2:30 p.m. | Sanctuary

The Shabbatones, University of Pennsylvania’s premier student-run Jewish a cappella group, will perform for Wise School students on Tuesday, January 7 at 2:30 p.m. This energetic, entertaining ensemble has performed at the White House, at 76ers and Phillies games, and has been touring around the country during school breaks. Wise members (and Penn alums especially!) are invited to join us for an awesome afternoon of popular American, Israeli, and Jewish music.

LISTEN AND LEARN MORE

Wise Years featuring guests Rabbi Eli Herscher and Dr. Uri Herscher
Thursday, January 9 | Plotkin Chapel
Deadline to register and order lunch: Monday, January 6
10 a.m. | Registration Begins
10:30 a.m. | Program Begins

Join us as Dr. Uri Herscher (former Executive Vice President and Dean of Faculty at the Hebrew Union College and Founder and President of the Skirball Cultural Center) and Rabbi Eli Herscher (Senior Rabbi Emeritus of Stephen Wise Temple) engage in a conversation of how autobiography influenced the lives of two brothers, shaping their visions and values, as well as passions. Their story is a microcosm of the two most important Jewish historical events of the past 2000 years and, at the same time, the most deeply personal of stories, one that ultimately unfolds on the mountaintop that holds Stephen Wise Temple and Skirball.
The League of Women Voters of Los Angeles speaker will ease you into the new voting system that will be introduced to Los Angeles County in March 2020. This timely presentation will provide information you’ll need to know to vote with the new electronic system. We will also learn how the 2020 US Census will be conducted by phone, by mail or on-line. We’ll find out why “on-line” is preferable.
Film: The Cakemaker tells the story of Thomas, a young German baker, and Oren’s, an Israeli married man, secret affair. When Oren dies in a car crash in Israel, Thomas travels to Jerusalem seeking answers regarding his death. 

#JewishandProud Day: Monday, January 6

This Monday, join a worldwide affirmation of Jewish pride on social media and in your everyday life. Here’s how you can take part:
Wear your Judaism with pride. Whether you have a kippah, a necklace with a Jewish symbol, a t-shirt written in Hebrew, or anything else identifiably Jewish, wear your Jewishness publicly and proudly, in the United States or abroad, in cities big and small. Post a photo of yourself displaying your Jewish pride on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram using the hashtag #JewishandProud
Hold up your #JewishandProud sign! Even if you don’t have something identifiably Jewish to wear, print AJC’s #JewishandProud sign or make your own image featuring the #JewishandProud slogan and post a photo of yourself with the image and hashtag on social media. This is an opportunity to celebrate Jewishness and creativity is encouraged.

Wise Readers to Leaders presents
How to Raise a Reader Literacy Event
January 11 |10 a.m. | Cayton Children’s Museum

The event will be a conversation with the authors of How to Raise a Reader, a new book providing helpful insights on how to engage your child in reading, which is getting lots of press lately! While adults listen to the book talk, children will have the opportunity to explore the brand new interactive and engaging Cayton Children’s Museum with WRTL staff and volunteers. We would love to see you there!
Tickets for the event are $40, covering the cost of museum for one child and one adult and a copy of the book How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul, who oversees all book coverage at the New York Times, and Maria Russo, the editor of children’s books at the Times. Additional tickets to visit the museum can be purchased for $14 for an adult and $7 for a child. Children under 2 are free. 

Tot Shabbat and Baby Playdate
Saturday, January 11
9 a.m. | Baby Playdate | Parenting Center
10 a.m. | Tot Shabbat | Wise Woods

Gather together with our community for a festive Tot Shabbat service! Our Clergy and song leaders 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!
Babies (0-12 months) and their parents are invited to join us for a special Baby Playdate for an hour leading up to Tot Shabbat. Come eat, meet and celebrate/commiserate the joys of new parenthood!

TOT SHABBAT
BABY PLAYDATE

Wise Melton School Community Connections

Wise’s award-winning Melton School is kicking off a special three-part series for parents in our Parenting and Early Childhood Centers. Get to know six Wise rabbis for Torah learning, wine, and cheese through “Community Connections,” a program specially designed for parents of little ones, based on Melton’s Foundations of Jewish Family Living: Jewish Values for Parents to Share with their Children. 

Classes:
Clearing the Path for Others—Master Story: Eve, Adam, and the Serpent
Taught by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Rabbi Josh Knobel
Tuesday, January 14 | 7 – 9 p.m.
On the Move—Master Story: Lech Lecha, Finding Your Own Path
Taught by Rabbi Ron Stern and Rabbi Sari Laufer
Tuesday, February 11 | 7 – 9 p.m.
Healing Process—Master Story: God Visiting Abraham After Circumcision
Taught by Rabbi David Woznica and Rabbi Karen Strok
Tuesday, March 10 | 7 – 9 p.m.

If you have further questions, please contact Melton Director Rabbi Karen Strok to learn more about the program.

Center for Jewish Life presents
“Nine”
Rabbi David Woznica
Tuesdays | 6:30 p.m.
January 14, 21, 28

The Rabbis of the Talmud teach that there are nine commandments, each of which is equal to all the other commandments combined. The list will likely surprise you.  We will study them in our first class.
The Rabbis of the Talmud teach that there are nine requirements that every city should meet for Jews to live there. In other words, what is essential to create a decent society. The list will likely surprise you. We’ll study them in our second class.
After God, the most prominent figure in the Torah is Moses. In our final class, we will explore nine lessons from the life of Moses. In doing so, we will bring this extraordinary figure to life and to our lives.
Over the course of our studies, we will embrace 27 insights into how Judaism can make us better people and how to shape a better world.

Center for Jewish Life presents
Museums with Mario — Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
With Pleasure: Pattern and Decoration in American Art 1972–1985
Wednesday, January 15 | 1:30 p.m.

A generous survey of this groundbreaking American art movement, encompassing works in painting, sculpture, collage, ceramics, installation art, and performance documentation, With Pleasure presents color in ambitious scale!

Soulful Shabbat 
Friday, January 17
Friday, February 14
Friday, March 13
6:30 p.m. | Dinner
8 p.m. | Shabbat Service

Our unique musical service is one of Wise’s most popular traditions that creates a spiritual evening featuring the rhythms and melodies our members have come to love.

Cantors Assembly Trip to Italy with Rabbi Yoshi and Cantor Lam
Info Session: Wednesday, January 22
Trip Intinerary: Rome | Florence | Venice: June  22 – July 2, 2020

Following his incredible concert at the Great Synagogue of Rome, Cantor Nathan Lam and the Cantors Assembly are proud to announce a musical journey through Italy in the summer of 2020. Join Rabbi Yoshi, Cantor Lam, and the many voices of the Cantors Assembly for a magical excursion to Rome, Florence, and Venice.

Center for Jewish Life presents
Introduction to Judaism
Rabbi Sari Laufer and Wise Clergy
Sundays beginning January 26, 2020 | 10 a.m.

Whether you are curious about or considering Judaism, or still looking to answer that question you’ve had since your days in religious school, Introduction to Judaism is a place to voice your questions, learn multiple perspectives, and discover what is most meaningful to you in liberal Judaism.
Open to all, this course is perfect for interfaith couples, those raising Jewish children, spiritual seekers, individuals considering conversion, and Jews who want a meaningful adult Jewish learning experience. Taught by Rabbi Sari Laufer, students will have a chance to learn from members of the Stephen Wise Temple clergy and other guest teachers while exploring holidays, lifecycle celebrations, prayer, theology, sacred texts, and much more.
Questions are encouraged and only curiosity is required.

Wise Jams
Tuesday, January 28 | 7:30 p.m.

Jam with fellow musicians and singers in our community! Are you an ace on the bass? Get your kicks on the sticks? Bring your axe, your sax, your vox, and your chops. We’ll supply the mics, amps, sheet music, and a rockin’ good time!

Center for Jewish Life presents
The Italian Jewish Tradition
Cantor Nathan Lam

Wednesdays | 7:30–9 p.m.
January 29; February 5, 19

The Italian Jewish tradition includes 2,000 years of uninterrupted history. From before the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, this community has outlasted the Roman Empire, and forged a relationship with the Vatican that has lasted for 1,700 years. The Italian Rite has its own music, not Sephardic or Ashkenazi, but unique in its own way. 40,000 Jews still live in Italy and thrive, honoring their history and the collective history of the Jewish People.

Camp Wise presents
Magic Mountain Youth Event
Recommended for Grades 3-7
Saturday, February 1 | 9:30 a.m.

Summer is over, but the fun never ends! Join your favorite Camp Wise staff for a full day of fun at Magic Mountain with your favorite counselors! You don’t want to miss out on the first Camp Wise Youth Event of the year! Limited spaces are available.

Price: Early Bird $115, After January 10 $150
Early Bird ends Friday, January 10, and registration closes on Wednesday, January 29 at 11:59 p.m.
For more information, contact Tatiana Soofer at (310) 889-2263 or email [email protected].
Cancellation Policy: No refunds after January 15. Event will occur, rain or shine.

Center for Jewish Life presents
Museums with Mario — Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden
Wednesday, February 12 | 1:30 p.m.

This excursion will consist of a curated conversation during a 1.5-mile walkthrough the Westwood campus of UCLA.

Center for Jewish Life presents
The Words of My Father: Yousef Bashir in Dialogue
with Rabbi David Woznica
Tuesday, February 18 | 7:30 p.m.

As Mr. Bashir writes:

In the Gaza Strip, growing up on land owned by his family for centuries, eleven-year-old Yousef is preoccupied by video games, school pranks, and meeting his father’s impossibly high standards. Everything changes when the Second Intifada erupts and soldiers occupy the family home. Yousef’s father refuses to flee and risk losing the house forever, so the army keeps the family in a state of virtual imprisonment. Yousef struggles to understand how his father can be so committed to peaceful co-existence that he welcomes the occupying Israeli soldiers as “guests,” even in the face of what he sees as unfair and humiliating treatment. Over time, Yousef learns how to endure his new life in captivity—but he can’t anticipate that a bullet is about to transform his future in an instant.
These transformative experiences set Yousef on a difficult new path that leads him to learn to embody his father’s philosophy and spread a message of co-existence. Yousef’s memoir, The Words of My Father is a moving coming-of-age story about survival, tolerance, and hope.

Wise Guys Men’s Ski Trip to Mammoth
Friday, March 6-8

Join Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Rabbi Ron Stern on the Wise Guys men’s trip to Mammoth Mountain. Winter sports, camaraderie, good food, Shabbat! Cost of the trip includes lodging, two catered dinners, snacks, some wine, and self-prepared breakfasts (lift tickets not included).