InsIde:

Crafting the Synagogues of 2020Rabbi Ron Stern

What will synagogues look like in 2020? All the evidence tells us that the Jewish community is changing rapidly, and it is abundantly clear that to serve our people, the synagogue – as we have

known it in this country for nearly 200 years – will have to change. But what will that transformed synagogue be like? Most importantly for our immediate concerns, how will Stephen S. Wise Temple become a center for our community as we look towards the next decade?

Here are some of the realities that are confronting the Jewish community in the United States based on a recent study by the Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project:

· We are marrying non-Jews at the highest rate ever. 58% of marrying couples are intermarried. In 1970 it was 17%. That is an incredible change!

· Two-thirds of Jews choose not to belong to a synagogue at any given time, though they may “pass through” as their children become Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Continued on page 3

2 2 & 4 7-10President’s Message

Jubilee Gala Performer spotlight

Celebrate Israel’s Birthday

APrIl/nIsAn 2014/5774 @wise

@Noteworthy

A Passover Message from Our President

By Glenn Sonnenberg

Passover is coming! There is an old joke about a Christian asking a Jew the meaning of Passover. The Jew replies, “The theme for this holiday is the same as that for all the others – They tried to destroy us, we survived, let’s eat.”

As is the case with much Jewish humor, there is a melancholic irony and truth underlying the joke. Jewish history is the story of the underdog – beginning as slaves in Egypt, constantly escaping and surviving against long odds. It is said that all of the empires, despots, and tyrants who attempted to slow or end the Jewish story are lost to history – the Greeks, the Egyptians, the Assyrians, and others – all gone. And yet, the Jews have not merely survived, but thrived.

In a recent New York Times article, entitled “What Drives Success,” Yale professors Amy Chua and Jed Rubenfeld posed the question of what it takes to be successful and what causes certain people, or groups of people, to consistently excel. Jews are one of the groups singled out by the authors as having disproportionate success, which they conclude is related to the values that are instilled in them from a young age. The authors note that “although Jews make up only about two percent of the United States’s adult population, they account for a third of the current Supreme Court; over two-thirds of Tony Award-winning lyricists and composers; and about a third of American Nobel laureates.”

The article’s thesis is that there are three things that are critical to success. First, there must be a sense of exceptionalism – the notion that one truly is great and special in some way. Second, and seemingly contradictorily, one must be insecure enough to feel one hasn’t done enough, driving one to work harder. And third, there should be impulse control or deferred gratification that keeps one focused on the ultimate goal.

How does this relate to Passover? Chua and Rubenfeld note that Jewish kids are reminded each year at their Seder table of how exceptional they are – that they are chosen and they are expected to succeed. Whereas this notion of exceptionalism might otherwise border on hubris and entitlement, most Jewish parents also instill in their children the notion that one must work harder in order to achieve one’s potential.

What is curious is that the authors do not conclude that a necessary condition to success is that one is actually exceptional. The necessary condition is that one believe that one is exceptional. I have often struggled with the idea of being the chosen people. This article helps identify that what drives Jews to succeed and to do so much good in the world is the idea not that they are chosen, or exceptional, but the fact that we are told, “your people are great, you are exceptional, now do something with it.” In essence, we are told there are no excuses. We have to try to be the best because we believe we are chosen, and with that chosen-ness comes duty and responsibility.

At Stephen S. Wise, we are engaged in an effort to identify our next Senior Rabbi. Many of you have shared with the Transition Committee personal stories of your experiences at our Temple. These stories have had a profound impact on the committee in considering where the Temple is and the traits we would hope our new Senior Rabbi must have to help us achieve great things in the coming years. But, of all the advice we received, none struck me as profound as the message we received from one of the leaders in our Jewish community, who is not a member of the Temple.

This leader came to our committee and said that he sees Stephen S. Wise Temple as an exceptional place, a place of learning, of community service, a place of song, a place of celebration. He admonished us to aim high and that, because we are so exceptional, we should expect the best – much as the authors that describe success suggest. Coupled with that success is a sense that the job is bigger than we are and that we must redouble our efforts to fulfill our duty to you – the congregation. And as for the third attribute of success – that of deferred gratification – our guest reminded us to move deliberately, but not to rush, to exercise patience and derive comfort in knowing that it is more important to be right than be quick.

We are that exceptional community that deserves to aim high. We have all the attributes of success, beginning from when we were children told by our parents that the Jewish people – and the Jewish story – both animate us with confidence and with the work ethic to achieve.

Have a wonderful Passover! Glenn

Jubilee Anniversary Gala Performer Spotlight – Magda Fishman

On June 1, we will culminate our Jubilee year with our Anniversary Gala – a concert featuring some of the Jewish world’s top performers, including our very own Cantor Nathan Lam. Read more about Magda Fishman, just one of these amazing performers, and her incredible story on page 4:

Continued on page 4April 20142 @wiSe

· One quarter of us say we don’t believe in God.

· One-third of us have Christmas trees in our homes.

· And yet … American Jews say they are proud to be Jewish and “feel a strong sense of belonging to the Jewish people.”

· Our emotional attachment to Israel remains strong, but only a minority supports the continued building of settlements in the West Bank, something that remains a priority for the Israeli government.

· 32% of those born after 1980 declare themselves Jewish with no religion. This reflects increasing secularism in the national non-Jewish community, as well.

· The Pew Report tells us that “Jews with no religion” tend not to raise their children as Jews.

· The Reform Movement is the largest American Jewish movement at 35% of the population. Yet, when our adherents leave the Reform movement, they tend to become nonreligious, while those from Conservative and Orthodox denominations go to the next less rigorous denomination.

The Jewish community is still digesting the results of the Pew study, but it is clear that organizations must become agile and willing to redefine themselves in order to confront the changing realities. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the head of the Union for Reform Judaism, used the words “audacious hospitality.” With that term, he suggests that we must open the gates and lower the barriers to inclusion of Jews, who, in the past have felt unwelcomed, excluded, or even unable to engage in synagogue life. No Jewish movement, and I would say that no religious denomination, is better prepared to do just that than the Reform movement. Though we have always been firmly grounded in Jewish history and tradition, we are also eager, ready, and willing to change in response to changing times; that is, in fact, the hallmark of Reform.

What does a synagogue look like that serves and engages a community that sometimes declares itself Jewish but not religious; is so comfortable in a country that intermarriage is the norm, not the exception; has the largest number of non-believers than any other religious denomination and yet, all the while proudly proclaims their Jewish identity? These are complicated variables and demand changes from the institutions that serve our people.

Having said all of this, any rumors of the demise of the Jewish people are greatly exaggerated. We are a people that have consistently and effectively re-invented ourselves in response to changing times and circumstances, and there is no reason to think that we can’t do so in this generation, as well. The good news is that many, many Jewish organizations are on the task. As I mentioned, Rabbi Rick Jacobs and the URJ are taking up the challenge by focusing on Youth Engagement, as well as challenging synagogues to redefine themselves by joining together in think tanks to develop and share strategies and new approaches. Our own Wise Clubs initiative comes out of this national project. The Los Angeles Federation is busily funding new initiatives (including our own Freedom School Junior Servant Leadership program and the Tel Aviv, Latvia, Los Angeles High School student exchange, where we have ten secular school students). There are also initiatives for 20-30-year-olds in neighborhoods throughout LA. At Wise, we are exploring different membership models to engage more Jews, diversifying our programming, and seeking to respond meaningfully to the responses we received from our Measuring Success survey that many of you completed last May.

The times they are a changin’, and that makes for exciting opportunities as we all summon the power of our creativity to craft the community of our future. And, for Stephen S. Wise Temple, this is particularly opportune as we are deep in the celebration of our Jubilee year and look forward with hope and inspiration for the next 50 years of our Wise community and the Jewish community at-large.

If you have any thoughts about the issues raised in this article, please feel free to call, e-mail, or set up an appointment with me. In addition, if you’d like to explore these issues further with me, you might consider reading my blog at: wiselagodblog.blogspot.com.

1 Source: New York Times, “Poll Shows Major Shift in Identity of U.S. Jews”, October 1, 2013.

Rabbi Stern’s Clergy Message – continued from cover

3

Magda Fishman started her musical training at the age of ten studying piano and as the soloist of a Tel-Aviv youth singing group. At the age of 14 she started playing trumpet and was soon recognized by the national youth magazine as an extraordinary talent. She performed all over Israel, Europe, the US and Canada impressing audiences everywhere with her unique singing ability and soulful trumpet playing.

Magda was the lead singer of the Israeli Dance/Pop group “Power Source” which released a hit song on Israeli TV. She was chosen from among many singers in the Israel Defense Forces, to be the soloist with the internationally respected Israeli Army Orchestra where she also played trumpet. After completing army service, she was invited to sing as a soloist with the “National Chamber Music Society” in the special world and contemporary music series in the Tel-Aviv Museum of Art. Magda came to the U.S. as part of the Tel Aviv-Broadway Musical Theatre Project and was chosen to perform as a soloist at a concert in New York honoring Barbara Cook and Harold Prince.

Recently Magda was the lead vocalist in three original pieces with award-winning American composer Noa Ain and Gerard Edery. Magda performed in two prestigious evenings hosted by the NBA entertainment honoring Michael Eisner (Disney’s president and CEO) and the other, honoring Brian L. Roberts and Ralph J. Roberts (President and CEO of COMCAST Communications). Magda received numerous awards and honors for her outstanding talents. One of them being the prestigious America-Israel Cultural foundation Scholarship. She also received the honor placement on the Dean’s list

at the Manhattan School of Music, and an award as “extraordinary artist” from the Buchman-Heyman foundation.

Magda is currently enrolled as a Cantorial student at the Jewish Theological Seminary. At the recent Cantors’ Assembly, she was honored with First Prize in the highly-competitive “Cantors’ Idol” competition. She is working on her original compositions, and getting ready to record her first album. She performs on a regular basis for the Israeli Consulate’s Department of Cultural Affairs, and leads a special monthly service at Sutton Place Synagogue in New York.

Join the Wise Alumni Network

Re-establish, maintain, and make new connections. Engage in community. Make a difference.

We are excited to introduce Wise Alumni, an alumni group for all participants and attendees of any Temple/School program. There is no better time than our Jubilee year to officially bring together the community to remember our past while envisioning our future. Whether you attended Mommy & Me, Preschool, Elementary School, Hebrew School, Confirmation Classes or Camp, Stephen S. Wise has likely made a long-term impact on your life. While the School and Temple may be different than when you attended, all of you are still very much a part of who we are as a community and your decision to remain connected to us is invaluable.

Whether you are interested in social events, networking, family fun days or holiday celebrations, in order to keep you in the loop, we need you or your child(ren)’s current contact information so that we may do so! To become part of our Alumni Database, please submit contact information by visiting www.WiseLA.org/Alumni. Here, you can also

@Noteworthy coNtiNued

Continued from page 2

April 20144 @wiSe

read about upcoming events and more! You can also like our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/WiseAlumni. If you have any questions or want to get involved in our Alumni Committee, e-mail Alumni@WiseLA.org.

Becoming a Mighty River: Wise & AIPAC (American Israeli Public Affairs Committee)

By Rabbi Spike Anderson

It starts with dozens of Wise congregants making their way to the airport and boarding planes to Washington, D.C. for the AIPAC Policy Conference. Before the plane doors are shut, our congregants see others that they know, friends from all around Los Angeles, and are well met with handshakes and hugs. Introductions are made, commonalities are realized, and bonds established all before the drink cart comes down the aisle. Why? Like streams merging into a mighty river, we find true camaraderie and affection with those who share our dedication to Israel, and for ensuring the strong US-Israel relationship. This is the purpose of AIPAC, and we each are essential to its success.

These connections continue to materialize, almost seamlessly, as we walk into our hotels, stride along the city streets, congregate in the Convention Center, and engage

in some of the most intense learning (with the purpose of action) that we have ever done. 14,000 people strong, we flow from a common understanding, and churn with a sense of purpose … and destiny. We are AIPAC: Jews and Gentiles, Latinos and African Americans, Democrats and Republicans, and hundreds of student leaders from universities across the nation.

Every single year, I come home from the AIPAC Policy Conference changed. The fatigue that many of us feel when it comes to Israel Advocacy (BSD, the nightly news, misinformation from the ignorant and the malicious) has been washed away. We emerge from the experience connected to others like us, renewed in our commitment, and empowered to action.

We are AIPAC.

Join us next year (an election year!) for AIPAC’s annual Policy Conference by registering at www.AIPAC.org/PC. Be sure to indicate that you are a part of Wise, so that we can include you on the many Wise gatherings during the Policy Conference.

Please feel free to contact our Leaders of AIPAC at Wise co-chairs: Carin Freeman (carifree13@sbcglobal.net) and Shelly Levy (shellylevy@roadrunner.com), or Rabbi Spike Anderson (SAnderson@WiseLA.org).

Continued on page 12

5

FriThu

Wed

Sat

April

Torah Study with Rabbi YoshiEvery Wednesday | 8:15 a.m.-9:15 a.m.

Room 5. We are excited to announce a new opportunity to learn together. The discussion will focus on an exploration of the weekly Torah portion, with a special emphasis on Hasidic commentaries inspired by the Jewish mystical tradition and the way these texts are forever relevant to us and our children. No prior Torah study is required. Come whenever you are able to join us and be part of a conversation that Jews have engaged in midor l’dor - from generation to generation. We’ll take care of the coffee, just bring a heart thirsty for Torah.

Morning MinyanEvery Thursday | 7:45 a.m.

(when School is in session)

Kabbalat Shabbat NoshEvery Friday | 5:30 p.m.

Erev Shabbat ServiceEvery Friday | 6:15 p.m.

Shabbat Morning MinyanEvery Saturday | 10 a.m.

Wise School Performing Arts Department Presents Fiddler on the Roof

Saturday, April 5 | 7 p.m. Sunday, April 6 | 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 | 7 p.m.

Zeldin-Hershenson Hall. To purchase tickets to Fiddler on the Roof, visit wiseschool.weebly.com/fiddler

Jewish World Watch’s

8th Annual Walk to End Genocide Sunday, April 27 | 9 a.m.

Pan Pacific Park. Why we walk? April 27 is Yom Hashoah. What better way to remember the Shoah than to stand up against genocide. April is Genocide Awareness Month, the 20th Anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, and the 99th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. And 2014 is the 10th Anniversary of Jewish World Watch.

Walk with 2014 Honorary Committee Co-chairs Mayor Eric Garcetti & Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis to let our local community and the world know that we will not stand idly by. Register with one of our three associated teams: Wise Walks; Religious School; or Milken Community High School. It’s not just a Walk - it’s a celebration of our community of conscience! Register at: www.walktoendgenocide.org

Jubilee Tot ShabbatFriday, May 9 | 5 p.m.

Come celebrate our Jubilee year and our last Tot Shabbat of the year with Rabbi Spike and Ditza in a service designed especially for families with chidlren ages birth to 5. There will be lots of surprises and fun for the whole family, so stay tuned for more information coming soon!

@progrAms ANd eveNts

sAve-the-dAte

FDR and the Jews

Dr. Allan J. Lichtman

Tuesday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Center for Youth Engagement and Wise School Present A Girl’s Night Out

Wednesday, May 146:45 p.m. Cocktails

& Appetizers7:30 p.m. Show

“Oh Mother”, presented by Jewish Women’s Theatre, debunks the stereotypes of Jewish mothers in this hilarious and thought-provoking show, featuring Emmy award-winning writer Monica Piper, Seinfeld character Annie Korzen, and popular writer/comedian Shelly Goldstein.

$18www.WiseLA.org/JWT

Nearly seventy years after World War II, a contentious debate lingers over whether Franklin Delano Roosevelt turned his back on the Jews of Hitler’s Europe. Defenders claim that FDR saved millions of potential victims by defeating Nazi Germany. Others revile him as morally indifferent and indict him for keeping America’s gates closed to Jewish refugees and failing to bomb Auschwitz’s gas chambers.

This program will be a look into some of the most important years in Jewish and world history.

Allan Lichtman is Distinguished Professor, Department of History at American University in Washington, D.C. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard and was the recipient of the Scholar/Teacher of the Year Award. His prediction system Keys to the White House, has correctly predicted the outcomes of all United States presidential elections since 1984.

$15

To register: www.WiseLA.org/CJL

or 888.380.WISE (9473)

April 20146 @wiSe

This month is my father’s 70th birthday. He is not normally one to make a big deal out of such things, but when we told him of our plan to gather his kids and grandkids from our respective

coasts to one hotel for a weekend of celebration, he was quite pleased. Not for any reasons having to do with him (I assure you), but because nothing makes him happier than seeing the entire family together.

When detailing the plan to our children, we tried to explain that this birthday celebration was more than just about cake (about which they had many questions), but rather about expressing our feelings and appreciation for our father/grandfather whom we love so much. Even though we see him rarely, he is a constant presence in our lives, and in many ways, he allows us to be the very best people we can be. In celebrating his birthday, we are recognizing his achievements and the values that he embodies, which he has, in turn, instilled in us. In celebrating his birthday, we are kind of celebrating our family, with my father at its center. “Ok Pappa,” the kids respond to me, “but what about the cake?” Fair enough.

I share these thoughts about birthdays because on May 4, we will celebrate another birthday together here at Wise: Israel’s Independence Day/ Yom Ha’atzma-ut. At some level, the very fact that we will come together as a community for a day of fun is amazing in itself. But behind the fun is a profound statement about Israel, and what she means to us as individuals, as Jews, and as citizens of the world. As American Jews, whether we are conscious of it or not, the existence of the modern state of Israel influences our core identity. Because Israel exists as a sovereign Jewish state, for the first time in 2,000 years, we Jews can engage in the world with our chins high and our eyes forward. Many of us have first-hand experience with an Israel that serves as a cornerstone for our lives, and how we see ourselves existentially. Israel for us is more than a shared history, but rather it points towards a shared spiritual destiny. When we celebrate Israel’s birthday at Wise on May 4, we are affirming the values that continue to emanate from Jerusalem, and the soul of the Jewish people: self-determination, cooperation, peoplehood, and being a light unto the nations. Israel’s birthday lets us celebrate who we are as a people, and all that we might yet still be.

“OK, but what about the cake?” Fair enough.

At our 3rd annual Yom Ha’atzma-ut Celebration at Wise, we will have tons of Israeli cuisine and treats, a DJ spinning Israeli hip-hop, an avant garde Israeli Art Show featuring the hottest artists on the scene (see page 9), a 3-on-3 basketball tournament with adults and kids brackets (see page 10), a variety of interactive preschool activities, a petting zoo with a camel(!), scavenger hunts, crafts, Gaga, Krav Maga, Israeli dancing, a Moroccan tent, and loads of giveaways and prizes.

Everything is free (except the cuisine). It is family-friendly. And, we will have many of our interfaith friends on campus with us – all to celebrate Israel!

All that we are missing is … you! Mark your calendars, and invite your friends and family. After all, we are celebrating a beloved birthday.

Celebrating Israel’s Birthday … with Cake?Rabbi Spike Anderson

7

April 20148 @wiSe

BENEFIT

Stephen S. Wise TemplePresents 3 / MAY

AN ISRAELI ART AUCTIONCurated and chaired by Sharón Zoldan

BENEFIT

VIP Opening Reception Saturday, May 3 | 7 PM-10 PM

Open to the General Public Sunday, May 4 | 10 AM-3 PM

Monday, May 5 | 7:30 AM-12 PMZeldin-Hershenson Hall

Silent & Live Auctions

Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres

Stephen S. Wise Temple presents BENEFIT: An Israeli Art Auction in conjunction with our annual Yom Ha’atzma-ut celebration. Curated and chaired by Art Advisor Sharón Zoldan, the event, which takes place Saturday, May 3 through Monday, May 5, 2014, highlights over 40 Israeli artists donating over 70 works. Our goal is to broaden the awareness of contemporary art from Israel, including the exposure of Israelis living and working in the U.S. BENEFIT is an aesthetic and political dialogue with the universal language of art as its platform. Artists include Modern Master Ofer Lellouche, Alex Kremer, Alona Harpaz, Shai Azoulay, Guy Yanai, Neta Harari, Maya Bloch, Maya Gold, Orly Maiberg, Eran Shakine, Melanie Daniel, Sivan Reuven, Ofir Dor, Roy Mordechay, and many more. Join us in support of Israel by supporting its talent. Proceeds benefit the Temple and participating artists.

RSVP to Melanie Fisher at 310.889.2210or MFisher@WiseLA.org.

9

April 201410 @wiSe

The Wise Years Adventure Continues

Thursday, April 10 Beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Join others, 60 years and better, at Stephen S. Wise Temple for a day of learning, lunch, and leisure each month from now through May. Mornings feature speakers on a wide range of timely and timeless topics. Following lunch together, afternoons offer a choice of discussions, classes, and games.

For more information and to register, visit www.WiseLA.org/WiseYears.

Join us as we bid farewell to

Rabbi Lydia Medwin

at a very special

and Dinner in her honor

Friday, May 166:30 p.m. Shabbat Dinner

8 p.m. Service

Immediately followed by our signature Dessert Oneg

To register for the dinner, visit

www.WiseLA.org/SoulfulShabbat

feel feel

the energythe rhythm

@progrAms ANd eveNts coNtiNued

Join us for a 2nd Night Community Seder

Tuesday, April 15 | 6 p.m. Zeldin-Hershenson HallShare a Passover Seder with Temple friends, led by Rabbi Spike Anderson and Cantorial Intern, Kyle Cotler.

This promises to be an evening filled with music, conversation, delicious food, and learning.

Members: Adults – $55 Children (3–12) – $28

Non-Members: Adults – $68 Children (3–12) – $28

There is no charge for children ages birth-2.

To register, visit www.WiseLA.org/Passover

11

“Amazing” Innovation at Wise School Early Childhood

By Rabbi Spike Anderson

When I asked our N3 kids to describe their experience in our new Music Innovation Lab*, overwhelmingly these four- and five-year-old children used the word “amazing”.

When I probed further, the kids said how they loved the fact that they got to use computers (with headphones). As a parent to one of these kids myself, I love that my son is learning computer skills while being taught the basic components of reading music, along with the concepts of rhythm, theory, and harmony. It is “amazing” to me that he is getting this at a preschool level at Wise

School – considering that many adults (including me) don’t have these 21st century skills.

Other kids I interviewed told me that their favorite part of coming to the Music Innovation Lab was the Listening Bar. They told me how they heard the story of Peter & The Wolf without any words, but how you “could tell which animal was there from the different instruments.” Pedagogically, the Listening Bar helps expose our youngest children to a wide range of musical appreciation elements, including different types of music, instruments, and historical personalities that have influenced the world. Wow!

And of course, all the kids loved ending their weekly visits to the Music Innovation Lab with the Drum Circle. Surrounded by color and flair, each

April 201412 @wiSe

child on a drum, they are led in an experience where, as one child told me, “you can make the drums make different sounds, like ‘happy’ and ‘sad’, ‘high and low’. We even made the drums make the sounds of different animals, like snakes and cheetahs … and owls.” Among the goals of the Drum Circle experience are to teach our kids the values of community, responsibility to others, following, leading, respect, and sharing. What more could we ask for?

Each child commented about how “fun” their teachers made the learning. Ari Volterra and Ronna Dragon bring their creative passion and energy to the project under the tutelage of Maestro David Kates, who is the Director of Music Innovation at Wise School K-6. Having spent time with David, I know that his passion for music and teaching our children can be described as nothing short of a “calling”. He is a true creative master who views our children as “spiritual beings filled with deep wisdom and knowledge”. He conceptualized the Music Innovation Lab as “a magical sanctuary where young souls are given the time to explore their inner and outer selves … and, through music, recognize the holy in themselves and the world around them.” David is the type of teacher from whom we dared to hope our children would get a chance to learn. There is none better … and our children are reaping the benefits.

The Music Innovation Lab is a trailblazer on the newest frontier of Early Childhood education. There is, quite literally, nothing else like it at any school, much less a preschool, in America. I join the other Early Childhood parents in appreciation for the incredible strides our School has taken this year to have our children learn deeply, be creative, experience wholeness, and make great happen, and the Music Innovation Lab is just another example of that. Most importantly, I love the fact that our kids are “loving” learning. This is, to quote our children, “amazing”.

*We offer a very special thank you to the following donors for funding the construction of the Music Innovation Lab: Ze’Ev & Carolynne Smith Drori, William & Rochelle Handy, Michael & Ronnie Kassan, Cantor Nathan & Donna Lam, David & Irene Smith, Marcia & Mark J. Smith. Ongoing programs in the Music Innovation Lab are made possible through the Wise School Early Childhood Annual Campaign.

13

ThE CONGREGATION ExTENdS ITS SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR ThESE GENEROuS CONTRIBuTIONS

mAZAl tov

Katya and Tanel and family on the birth of their son, and to Kaila on the birth of her brother, Leo

Alison and Eitan and family on the birth of their daughter, and to Hailey and Ashley on the birth of their sister, Amana Harper

Debi and Rick and family on the birth of their grandson, and to Benjamin on the birth of his nephew, Kayden Sammy

Ginny and Arthur and family on the birth of their granddaughter, and to Melissa and Adam on the birth of their daughter, Lacey Jane

Linda and Dan and family on the birth of their granddaughter, Susan and Gerry on the birth of their granddaughter, Stacey and Ari, Lisa and Johnee Schwartz, and Jason, on the birth of their niece, Imogen and Jasper on the birth of their cousin, and to Jaclyn and Jeffrey on the birth of their daughter, Gabriella

Eugenia and Israel Salin and family on the engagement of their daughter, and to Nicole Salin and David Ariel Levy on their engagement

Orlee and Danny Raymond and family on the engagement of their daughter, Yaniv and Maya on the engagement of their sister, and to Talia Raymond and Daniel Mozes on their engagement

Ronnie and Michael and family on the birth of their grandson, Alexander and Brett and Jake on the birth of their nephew, Ashley and Adam on the birth of their son, and to Gemma on the birth of her brother, Meyer Joseph

Golnaz and Kourosh and family on the birth of their son, and to Valentina on the birth of her brother, Alexander Benjamin

Anna Freeman and Roee Einhorn and families on their engagement

Jessica and Elan and family on the birth of their daughter, and to Sophie and Evan on the birth of their sister, Emma Reese

Katharine Young and David Yaroslavsky and families on their marriage

Dana and David and family on the birth of their nephew, and to Emma and Mia on the birth of their cousin, Landon

Tina and Shervin and family on the birth of their son, Noah

Barbara and Dr. Arnold Barron and family on the engagement of their daughter, Sari Poll and Benjamin Barron on the engagement of his sister, and to Jen Barron and Jon Rosen on their engagement

June and Murray and family on the birth of their grandson, Quincy

Barbara and family on the birth of her granddaughter, Chloe

Netaly and Gino and family on the birth of their son, Leo

Jennifer and Zachary and family on the birth of their son, Adler

Karen and Richard Mettel and family on the engagement of their daughter, and to Jennifer Myers and Jake Rome on their engagement

Makize and Arash and family on the birth of their daughter, and to Harley and Easton on the birth of their sister, Scarlett

Sandi Weiner and family on the engagement of her daughter, and to Jaime and Roberto Ortenzio on their engagement

coNdoleNces

Ann and Sam Rubinfeld and family on the loss of her mother, Isabel and David Wintroub and Peggy Wehrle on the loss of their aunt, Helen Ameti

Billie and Richard Udko and family on the loss of her mother, Muriel Wallace

Jared Herzikoff and family on the loss of his mother, Zorrelle Cornell

Sidney Lyons and family on the loss of his partner, Beverly Sondel

Lynda Robbins and family on the loss of her husband, Larry Robbins

Orly and Jeffrey Elson and family on the loss of his grandmother, and to Aidan, Oliver and Genevieve on the loss of their great-grandmother, Faye Block

The sympathy of the congregation is Extended to the families of

Larry Robbins

Beverly Sondel

May God grant peace to all who mourn and Comfort the bereaved families

rABBis’ discretioNAry FuNds

In HOnOr OF:

the bat mitzvah of their granddaughter Chloe, by Nancy and Allen

Rabbi Ron Stern, by Wendy Ordower

Rabbi David Woznica, by Miry Rabinovitch

In MeMOrY OF:

Anna Schainsinger by Gloria and Ron Gurvitz and Family

Henry Shadur, by Sue and Bob Shadur

Anne Adler, by Linda and the Hon. Richard Adler and family

Ann Epstein, by Norm, Carole, Laura and Mark Epstein

Jessie Joseph, Larry Pollack and Shirley Goren, by Seema Pollack

David Miller, by the Judy and Neil Fischer and Noskin Families

Berna Lee Landsman Rosenthal, by Marvin Rosenthal

Barbara Fast Mezoff, by Beth and John Wilson

Helen Ameti, by Ann and Sam Rubinfeld

Karl Littner, by Andrea and Kenneth Lee

Maurice Cutler, by Jodi and Rick Kirkbride

Jack Scapa, by Barbara and Jeff Scapa

Otto Herskovic, by Maria Herskovic, Patricia and Amy Herskovic, Suzanne Ponder and Micheline Keller and family

Mike Kaplan, by Terri and Charles Stern

Leanore Miller, by Judy and Neil Fischer

Elliott Lokitz, by Sheila Lokitz and the Bronson and Miller families

Max Kessler, by Hon. and Mrs. Richard Adler and family

Ann Sheps, by Felise Wachtel

cANtor’s discretioNAry FuNd

In HOnOr OF:

the bat mitzvah of their granddaughter Chloe, Nancy and Allen

In MeMOrY OF:

Hunter Colfax Elia, by Sally and Don Jones

Muriel Wallace, by Billie and Richard Udko

Ben Winters, by Elaine Winters

Jane Lipstone, by the Lipstone Family

Jack Scapa, by Barbara and Jeff Scapa

Sam Leebove, by Michael Leebove

Nathan Shapell, by Vera and Paul Guerin

metuKA BeNJAmiN scholrship FuNd

In HOnOr OF:

the birth of Meyer Joseph, by Heidi and Albert Praw

the engagement of Jamie Weiner and Robert Ortenzio

In MeMOrY OF:

Helen Ameti and Karl Littner, by Deena and Ed Nahmias

wise geNerAl FuNd

In MeMOrY OF:

Lillian Rothchild, by Marvin Chanin

Betty Levy, by Corrine and Lenny Sands and family

Harriet Wolstan, by Cindy and Doug Kanter

liFeloNg leArNiNg eNdowmeNt

In MeMOrY OF:

Pearl Golden, by Patti and Roger Golden

summer cAmp scholArship FuNd

In MeMOrY OF:

Gussie Sapkin, by Brenda and Alan Abramson

sAm duBmAN sovA FuNd

In HOnOr OF:

June and Murray and family, on the birth of their grandson, Quincy

April 201414 @wiSe

In MeMOrY OF:

Sam Dubman, by Bea Dubman

dieNer ANd KAdNer FAmilies liBrAry FuNd

In MeMOrY OF:

Gilda Lyons and Edward Lyons, by Sid Lyons

Anne Leff and Ellice Laub, by Barbara Leff

sociAl Justice FuNd

In HOnOr OF:

the bar mitzvah of Daniel Judah, by Marilyn Sobelman

In MeMOrY OF:

Betty Fodor, by Sussan and Michael Shore

mitchell shAmes scholArship FuNd

In MeMOrY OF:

Mitchell Shames, and Mollie and Sam Snookal, by Julie, Brad, Samantha and Greg Shames and Rachel and Gabe Waterman

shABBAt morNiNg miNyAN FuNd

In HOnOr OF:

Alvaro Gancman and Ariel Goldenstein and the entire Learner’s Minyan for being so welcoming at Jake’s Tefillin Ceremony, by Raz

In MeMOrY OF:

Bernice Lustgarten and Robert Lustgarten, by Marjorie Marenus

leslie sheldoN ZolA scieNce scholArship FuNd

In MeMOrY OF:

Alexander Nasch, by Sheila Zola Burman

Eris Field, by Sheila Burman

sol ANd esther smith liBrAry FuNd

In MeMOrY OF:

Esther Smith, by Carolynne Smith-Drori and Ze’ev Drori and Marcia, Mark J., Amanda and Alex Smith

wise heArts FuNd

In MeMOrY OF:

Bertha Fink, by Shirley Bigel

wise progrAmmiNg FuNd

In MeMOrY OF:

Bertha Nugit, by Marth Nugit Kritt

Avi eFrAim gesuNdheit FuNd For music

In MeMOrY OF:

Fannie Gesundheit, by Susie and Jaime Gesundheit, Daniela Gesundheit and Dan Goldman

Paul Geiger, by Dr. and Mrs. David Brown

elissA ruBell scholArship FuNd

In MeMOrY OF:

Tamara Praw, by Lori and Rob Goodman and family

yAhrZeit FuNd

In MeMOrY OF:

Serene Aftergood, by Joan Blum Feldman and William Feldman

Edna Goldberg, by Bobbi and Joel Scherr

Michael Perla, by Randy and Eric Gordon

Ben Olenick, by Jackie and Erin Harrell and Janine and Blair Olenick

Mollye Fischer, by Penny and Mark Berns

Erwin Goldenberg, by Carole and Beryl Farfel and family

Tonia Rosenblatt, by Libby and Marv Markowitz and family

Esther Faber, by Loretta and Warren Appel and Larry and Lance Toomin

Wolfe Barclay, by Bloom and Julius Bovill

Avraham Drori, by Carolynne Smith-Drori and Ze’ev Drori

John J. Williams, by Marilyn and David Williams

Esther Faber, by Marilyn and Rob Spencer

Jack Aroesty, by Julian Aroesty and family

Bernard Fond, by Barbara and Richard Ackerman

Dorothy Williams, by Sunny Caine

Faye Levitt, by Audri and Stanley Tendler

Sally Singer, by Judy and Ted Singer

Irving Stokols, by Selma Stokols and children, David Stokols, Mark Stokols and Marcy Vaj

Stella Reiss and Edmund Reiss, by Diana Soltesz

Our Clergy want to assure their availability to our member families during times of

loss. Please contact the Temple first before setting a funeral time.

Send details of your simchas to: Contributions@WiseLA.org to be included in our Mazal Tov list by the 15th of each

month, six weeks prior to publication.

To send a tribute: Call Bea Dubman at 818.342.3497 or you may give online at

www.WiseLA.org/giving.

Casiano Catering & Events

Come lounge and dine with us!

310.476.7394www.WiseLA.org/

CasianoCateringwww.Facebook.com/

CasianoCatering

B’NAi mitZvAh@Mazal tov to our B’nai Mitzvah

and their families celebrating their simhas in

March and April.

March 22 – Shemini

3:45 p.m. – Jakob, son of Abby and Jonathan

5:30 p.m. – Amanda, daughter of Lisa and Jeffrey

March 29 – Tazria

11:30 a.m. – Mikaela, daughter of Sharon and Behzad

April 12 – Achare Mot

5:30 p.m. – Eyal, son of Dana and Ilan

Jakob

Mikaela

Amanda

Eyal

15

Celebrity Panel featuring

Emmanuelle Chriqui Lance Bass

www.WiseLA.org/Sustainability

Earth Day CelebrationWednesday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m.Stephen S. Wise Temple

$54 per person*

An adults-only evening with a celebrity panel,food, silent auction, and educationon living a “greener” life!

*All proceeds support Wise School Sustainability initiatives, including our Wise Edible Garden and future “sister” edible garden at Stanley Mosk Elementary School.

sustainability

15500 Stephen S. Wise DriveLos Angeles, CA 90077-1520

310.476.8561 | www.WiseLA.org

NON PROFIT ORG.

US POSTAGEPAID

STEPHEN S. WISE TEMPLE