Stephen Wise Temple and Israel2024-02-20T15:56:42-08:00

Stephen Wise Temple and Schools proudly support the State of Israel and the Jewish people’s right to self-determination. Zionism and ahavat Yisrael, love of the people, land, and State of Israel, have always been central to who we are and what we do as a community. This has been true for the almost 60 years of our history, and never more so than since October 7, 2023.

On this page, we have provided a wide range of resources for you to discover, learn from, engage with, and—where you so choose—take action. You will find writings, videos, and other congregational responses from the last months and beyond.

Am Yisrael Chai.

Over the past months of worry, outrage, pain, and prayer, we prepared a new setting of the traditional liturgy with our Director of Music, Dr. Tali Tadmor, for the return of captives, a text that — tragically — but unsurprisingly, given what we know about Jewish history — goes back centuries.

We invite you to take a moment to watch this video produced and edited by Raz Husany, our Media and Production Manager, and offer your own prayer for the return of the captives. Share it with a friend, and then, together, let us transform our prayers into action by reaching out to our elected officials, from the president to members of Congress, to remind them every day to keep the return of the hostages at the top of their agenda. We must keep this issue in the public eye and do everything we can to ensure their safe return before, God forbid, it’s too late.

Our sisters, our brothers, wherever you are — we are with you.

L’shalom,

Cantor Emma and Rabbi Yoshi

Clergy Insight

Daily Kavanah – Friday, March 22, 2024

Purim has a different resonance now, in the middle of this terrible war. Megilat Esther is essentially a Jewish fantasy about what it would mean to be given permission to fight back. And not only that, in this fantasy, we imagine ourselves to be so ferocious and formidable a [...]

Daily Kavanah – Friday, March 8, 2024

This past week I joined more than 100 other North American rabbis across all denominations for a three day conversation about Zionism. Planning for the conference began more than a year ago, long before the tragedy of October 7th. Our work felt more urgent and deeply needed than ever [...]

Search for Meaning with Jessica Elter

Jessica Elter tells her harrowing  October 7th story. She explains that she was supposed to be at the Supernova Music Festival with her boyfriend, Ben Shimoni, but at the last moment, decided not to go. Listen to the extraordinary tale of his heroism and her courage [...]

Search for Meaning with Rabbi Yoshi

For a complete list of podcasts, click here.

Videos and Music

Reflections on Solidarity Trip to Israel

Wise members Stacey Sherman, Felice Williams, and Ron Bahar reflect on their recent trip to Israel with Rabbi Yoshi.

Savor Each Bite

Rabbi Yoshi recounts a moment in his solidarity trip to Israel, when he experienced the resilience of the Israeli People.

Ands vs Buts in the Israel Conversation

Rabbi Ron Stern’s Shabbat sermon From Friday January 19, 2024.

Whose Earth? It’s the Only One We’ve Got.

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback’s Shabbat sermon From Friday, January 12, 2024.

Good Tidings We Bring: A Message for Israel from Candy Cane Lane

Rabbi Sari Laufer’s Shabbat sermon From Friday December 29, 2023.

Israel, Hamas, Palestinians and their supporters: Seven Vital Realizations

Rabbi David woznica’s Shabbat sermon From Friday December 22, 2023.

K’far Aza Survivors’ testimony

Wise Parents Association welcomed Segal and Maital Yacobi, a mother and daughter from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, who told their first-hand experience of the terrifying terrorist attack on October 7 and the aftermath that followed.

Our Responsibility: Like It or Not

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback’s Yom Kippur 5784 (2023) sermon on the State of Israel, delivered at Kol Nidrei services at Stephen Wise Temple on Sept. 24, 2023.

Los Angeles Jewish Community Gathering for Israel

Streamed live on Oct 8, 2023

“Es Brent,” It Burns: Grab a Bucket and Douse the Flames

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback’s message from the LA Jewish Community Vigil for Israel hosted by Stephen Wise Temple, October 8, 2023.

The Heroism of Yitzchak Rabin

Rabbi Ron Stern
Friday, October 27, 2023

Mixed Up Beautifully

Rabbi Yoshi’s reflections from his recent trip to Israel
Friday, November 3, 2023

We are an indigenous people…To the Land of Israel

The founder of the modern Jewish Pride movement, Ben M. Freeman, highlights the many similarities we have as Jews, regardless of our various backgrounds.
Friday, November 10, 2023

Binary/non-Binary: The Legacy of Vivian Silver (z”l)

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
Friday, November 17, 2023

We Are With You

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
Friday, November 24, 2023

Followed by a prayer for the hostages with Cantor Emma Lutz and Cantorial Intern Andrew Paskil.

Center for Jewish Life Presents Ambassador Martin Indyk

On the evening of April 3, 2023, Ambassador Martin Indyk, the former United States Ambassador to Israel, joined Rabbi David Woznica and the Stephen Wise Temple Center for Jewish Life for a webinar on Middle East diplomacy, Henry Kissinger, and the current situation in Israel.

Center for Jewish Life: Amb. Michael Oren in Dialogue with Rabbi David Wozncia

Our 2022-2023 slate of Center for Jewish Life events kicked off with a compelling dialogue between Rabbi David Woznica and Michael Oren, the former Israeli Ambassador to the United States on Oct. 31, 2022.

“At Moledet”

For Shabbat Evening Services between Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron, Stephen Wise Temple Senior Cantor Emma Lutz sang “At Moledet,” a poem written by Leah Goldberg.

A famous Israeli poet, author, and playwright, Goldberg is one of the literary titans of Israel. Her works are considered Israeli classics. This poem, written in 1938, was set to music by Marc Lavry, and performed as an oratorio in Tel Aviv.

Stephen Wise Temple Sings “Hatikvah”

On Yom HaAtzmaut, 2023, Israel’s 75th birthday, Stephen Wise Temple celebrates the Jewish state with a special video. Soaring over our mountaintop, you will see how our Wise campus transforms into a sea of blue and white during the week of Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut, as Israeli flags adorn our driveway, fences, and plazas. You will see photos of our Wise School sixth grade delegation, which returns from a 10-day trip to Israel this Thursday. You will also see and hear Cantor Emma Lutz and our community gathering together to sing Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikvah,” during our Yom HaShoah Shabbat last Friday.

Our founder, Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin, was an ardent Zionist, and support of Israel and its founding ideals are central to our community’s mission. “Hatikvah,” literally translated as “The Hope,” which embodies what Israel represents for generations of Jews.

“We Remember”

(Zweiback/Chasen arr. Tadmor) featuring the SWT choir
A song of blessing and memory for the 1400 Israeli lives lost on October 7.

“Yerushalayim Shel Zahav”

(Shemer)
Wise School students expressing their love as Israel

“Acheinu”

A Prayer for Our Captives

“Eili, Eil”

(Senesh and Zahavi)
A song of memory

Advocate

NCJW has joined a growing list of over 6,500 global women leaders applying pressure to international governments, organizations, and civil society groups to do everything in their power to secure the release of 199+ kidnapped civilians held hostage by Hamas in unfathomable circumstances.

​​​​​​​Reach out to your lawmaker in Congress today to urge swift action to support the hostages, providing them medical care and negotiating their release. Use the button below to send an email to your Senators and Representative. The letter will autopopulate for your elected officials after you submit your contact information.

As we are seeing daily, anger over the Israel-Hamas conflict is fueling the flames of hate on college and university campuses in the U.S. Jewish students are being assaulted, intimidated, and harassed because of their beliefs. The Department of Education must prioritize fulfilling its commitments in the National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism to protect students from antisemitic and anti-Israel hostility.

Join ADL in urging the Department of Education to fulfill its commitments to make college campuses safe.

October 13th, American Jewish Committee released a statement calling on the state of California to keep antisemitic, pro-Hamas materials out of Ethnic Studies curricula.

This statement was released in response to antisemitic and inflammatory Instagram posts made by the Coalition of Liberated Ethnic Studies (CLES), one of which declared the October 7th terrorist attack a “victory”, just one day after information of Hamas’ slaughtering of innocent civilians was released.

Our voices are needed to sign the open letter to Superintendent Tony Thurmond and the California Department of Education to urge him to encourage school districts to refrain from utilizing the liberated curriculum or consulting with the Coalition of Liberated Ethnic Studies and their affiliated personnel, and to encourage districts across California to adopt the approved Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum.

Israel currently has 10 consulates and two embassies across the United States and Canada that serve local Jewish and Israeli communities. Contact them directly to ensure your concerns about the judicial reforms are recorded. You can reach our local Los Angeles consulate at 323.852.5500.

Sixteen Jewish representatives signed the Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist letter to Netanyahu and the Coalition Government encouraging compromise and consensual process. Eleven Jewish representatives did NOT sign the letter, including local representatives Brad Sherman and Adam Schiff. Contact them to encourage them to express their concern to the Coalition Government, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, or to others where they may have influence.

Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-30)
202.225.4176
Email Rep. Schiff

Rep. Brad Sherman (CA-32)
202.225.5911
Email Rep. Sherman

Members of the new government are threatening to override Israel’s core values. Due to the anti-Reform views of the new government and its ministers, the Israel Reform Movement stands to lose more than $1.5 million in government funding. By donating to the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism and the Israel Religious Action Center, you can help financially secure Reform values and institutions in Israel.

Utilize your connections and relationships in other local, regional, and national Jewish organizations to encourage them to speak out against the proposed judicial reforms. At What You Can Do Right Now to Support Israel and Support the Reform Movement you will find suggested organizations to reach out to and ideas for more actions you can take.

Support

In addition to supporting Stephen Wise Temple and our efforts, we encourage you to support these trusted partner organizations and their work in Israel.

The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles is creating an emergency Israel fund through which your contributions will be directed where they are needed most in Israel.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE to the Jewish Federation’s Solidarity Campaign.

Following Hamas’ unprecedented attack over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel is at war to defend itself and has given the order for the IDF to commence “Operation Swords of Iron.”

The Jewish Federations of North America are responding, working with partners to support victims of terror, help rebuild damaged infrastructure, and address the trauma caused by this horrific attack.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE to the Jewish Federations of North America’s “Operation Swords of Iron” Campaign.

The money will be used for desperately needed supplies to provide UH volunteers with the equipment they need to save lives and the protective equipment to keep themselves safe. The goal of the campaign is to raise $20 million to equip an additional 1,000 United Hatzalah volunteers with protective vests and helmets, oxygen tanks, defibrillators, trauma bandages, and tourniquets.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE to United Hatzalah of Israel’s Emergency Campaign.

Magen David Adom is Israel’s national emergency medical services organization. They are on the front lines of saving lives in Israel. With emergency ambulances, boats, helicopters, and motorcycles, MDA is guaranteed to provide the best of care in critical situations.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE to Magen David Adom Israel

IsraAID’s mission is to support people affected by humanitarian crisis. They partner with local communities around the world to provide urgent aid, assist in recovery, and reduce the risk of future disasters. IsraAID is partnering with local and civil society organizations to coordinate humanitarian efforts, providing psychosocial support & urgent aid to vulnerable communities, evacuees and their families.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE to IsraAID’s Emergency: Israel Campaign

Israeli Wounded Veterans’ mission is to support the rehabilitation, rebuilding, and enhancement of the lives of disabled Israeli veterans and victims of terror. At our state-of-the-art Beit Halochem (House of the Warriors) rehabilitation centers in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, and Beer Sheva, we serve more than 51,000 disabled veterans, terror attack survivors, and family members.Our commitment is to raising awareness and funds for a broad range of social, cultural, and sports training programs, offering scholarships, developing new initiatives, and providing specialized adapted equipment for our centers. Through these programs, we aim to empower these heroic men and women to rebuild their lives with a renewed sense of purpose and dignity.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE to Israeli Wounded Veterans

The Association for Spiritual Care in Israel (ASCI) is a non-profit ensuring that all Israelis experiencing a wide variety of crises can receive accessible, professional spiritual care.

Your donation makes it possible to continue the activities of ASCI in promoting spiritual care as a recognized profession in institutions and government bodies, ensuring proper training for students, and enhancing professional advancement for qualified spiritual caregivers.

Apart from one salaried part-time (20%) administrator employed by the ASCI, all of the work undertaken by the association is executed by volunteer members of the association.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE to the Association for Spiritual Care in Israel

Given the magnitude and severity of humanitarian need, we’ve launched the HIAS Emergency Response in Israel to address access to basic food and household suppliescash assistancehousing supportpsychosocial support, and community-building programs on a needs-based approach for Israelis of all backgrounds in addition to the diverse asylum seeker population we currently serve. We’re leaning into the expertise honed by crisis response in places as varied as Ukraine, Chad, and Venezuela, which includes working with established local partners to avoid repetition and filling the missing gaps.

Home to HIAS’ longest-running country office, Israel’s existence expedited the reality in which the vast majority of global Jewry achieved political freedom of movement by the end of the 20th century. We proudly helped build the state. This fact allowed HIAS to fully expand its mission to proudly serve forcibly displaced people of all backgrounds across five continents in the name of the Jewish community.

Donations to HIAS Israel can be made here. You can also review our detailed fact sheet, the column and email below from HIAS President & CEO Mark Hetfield, and our statement condemning the attack.

KAVOD is a non-profit tzedakah collective. We are a group of individuals who have chosen to pool our tzedakah resources together so that, as a community, we can have a greater impact in our efforts to repair the world. We strive to be a real community. There are usually no more than two degrees of separation between any individual contributor to KAVOD and a member of the board of directors.

Together we have given away far more tzedakah money and created far more programs as a collective than we could have as individual contributors. To find out more about how you can be part of this mitzvah, contact us today.

Visit Kavod.org to make your contribution to Israel Emergency Relief

Amid the economic challenges brought on by the ongoing war in Israel since October 7th, 2023, small businesses are facing unprecedented struggles.

Visit this page to learn more.

News and Information

As you have undoubtedly heard or read, on October 7, Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israeli citizens. On Simchat Torah, a joyous day on the Jewish calendar, terrorists murdered more than 1400 people; another 200+ have been taken hostage in Gaza, and over 2000 Israelis (including Israeli Arabs) are injured.

In this age of 24/7 news cycles, not to mention Instagram Live and TikTok, our feeds can be saturated, and it is hard to wade through bias, misinformation, and inaccurate coverage. While we do not claim all of these sources are entirely neutral, we do recommend them for their fair-handed, truthful coverage.

  • The Times of Israel: Claims to have no partisan political affiliation and to be fair minded in its analysis. 
  • I24 News:  i24 News broadcasts in English, French and Arabic and aims to bring “unfiltered, unbiased, global news from where it happens.”
  • AL Monitor: Not Israeli, but does contain items from Israeli newspapers – as well as items from newspapers of other Middle Eastern countries. It is an interesting source of information about the region.

A great way to quickly (or not so quickly depending on which you choose) get caught up on the history that got us to this moment.

Non-Fiction:

Fiction:

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