rabbi matt shapiro,...kavannah, the impromptu personal supplications that rise to our lips. i wanted...
TRANSCRIPT
The moment all of you have
been waiting breathlessly
for - my first Kol Ha’Am article.
Thank you, Sue, for passing the
shovel to me. Thank you for
getting our construction project
started, just as you promised.
My promise is to do everything
I can to get it completed just as quickly and efficiently as possible.
And thank you, Sue, for coming up with JOYFUL FLEXIBILITY.
What could be a more perfect expression of handling everything
associated with our construction projects.
Our new Sanctuary will be done before we know it. Watching it go
through the process of demolition and creation is extraordinary. We
will continually be posting photos. We have set up a camera that will
continuously stream what is happening from moment to moment.
Check out www.tbala.org/construction. We have set up regular tours
of the Sanctuary space as it is being worked on. We will provide the
hard hats. Check the website for exact day and times.
I’ll focus on the Pressman Academy part of the construction
in the next Kol Ha’Am, or I may do a special update in the coming
weeks. We will continue our fundraising with our team of Fearless
Fundraisers. The goal is to reach out to EVERYONE so that
all of you can be an integral part of what TBA & Pressman are
creating. Here’s a tip on how to best handle the awesome Fearless
Fundraisers: Listen patiently to their pitch, give serious reflective
thought to what they are requesting, and then tell them you’ll give
twice what they have suggested. Then duck as they will smother
you with gratitude and excitement.
We’re also looking for new slogans for our fundraising. I was at
the Dodger game with Dan Messinger of Bibi’s Bakery Café on Pico.
He suggested, “Raisin the Dough.” For such brilliance, Dan deserves
no less than our community regularly descending upon Bibi’s and
buying everything there. Email Hilary Hellman, our magnificent
Director of Advancement, with any other slogan suggestions.
Well, that’s a wrap for Kol Ha’Am article #1. Here’s a sneak
preview for the next one: we’ll continue to do construction
updates, with a focus on Pressman Academy. High Holidays will
be an exciting once-in-a-lifetime experience throughout our
campus. Special thanks as always to the entire staff at TBA, and
to the extraordinary group of officers and members of the Board
of Trustees. Take a moment whenever you’re around to thank
everyone working at TBA/Pressman. And I mean everyone –
from janitors, security and construction people on down to your
humble president!
Have a great summer. Avi Peretz
FROM THE PRESIDENT
TEMPLE BETH AM AFFILIATED WITH THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM • VOL 18, NO. 4 • Tammuz/Av/Elul 5778 • July/August 2018
Voice of the People
OGV KUE
After six years of working full time at Beit T’Shuvah, Rabbi
Shapiro is excited to move from congregant to rabbi at
Temple Beth Am. In his work at BTS, Rabbi Shapiro has worked
as a spiritual counselor, educator, and pulpit presence, bringing
out his interests and skills as a teacher and pastor. In addition to
previously interning at TBA, he has worked in a variety of rabbinic
and educational settings, including BCI, Mosaic Law Congregation,
and Los Angeles Hebrew High School. He hopes to develop
programming and teaching emphasizing personal spiritual growth
grounded in the Jewish tradition while working at TBA, as well as
focusing on pastoral counseling. Rabbi Shapiro is thrilled to move
into this interim role, and looks forward to bringing as much joy,
Torah, and ruach as possible to the coming year!
Rabbi Shapiro is blessed to be married to Rabbi Sarah Barukh,
and is the proud, grateful, and often exhausted father of Jonah,
Eliav and their newest addition born in May, Rafael Gilad.
Now that the interim position is set, we will be convening
a committee, to be chaired by Mike Cohn, that will conduct a
comprehensive search for completing our clergy team on a long-
term basis. We will update the community on those developments
as they materialize. And though we remain sad to have said
goodbye to Rabbi Lucas, we feel confident that we have set up our
community for thriving for next year, and are well on the way to
doing so for the years beyond.
Rabbi Shapiro—we welcome you with open arms and hearts!
We are excited and honored to welcome
Rabbi Matt Shapiro, who joins our clergy team
as Interim Associate Rabbi
TEMPLE BETH AM1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035
310.652.7354 • 310.652.2384 (fax)
SCHOOL PHONE LINE310.652.2002
School Fax: [email protected]
www.tbala.org
Temple Beth Am celebrates traditional and innovative Judaism
and inspires lifelong learning in a warm, embrac ing community.
Avi Peretz, President
Rabbi Adam Kligfeld, Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Hillary Chorny, Cantor
Rabbi Matt Shapiro, Interim Associate Rabbi
Sheryl Goldman, Executive Director
Rabbi Yechiel Hoffman, EdDDirector of Youth Learning & Engagement
Dr. Erica Rothblum, Head of School
Rabbi Joel E. Rembaum, Emeritus
Rabbi Harry Silverstein, Emeritus
KOL HA’AMCopy Editor Ellen L. Jacobs
Graphic Designer Jeff Baughman
Kol Ha’am (USPS 008-599) is published bi-monthly by Temple Beth Am,
1039 South La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035-2507
Annual Membership Dues include $5.00 subscription
Periodicals Postage Paid at Los Angeles, California and additional mailing offices.
Postmaster – Send address changes to:Temple Beth Am,
1039 South La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035-2507
Phone: 310.652.7353 • www.tbala.org
Kol HaRavThe tiny, potent seed at the heart of prayer innovation at
Temple Beth Am is a question, one that fuels my vision as
cantor: can prayer be intentionally good?
Three years ago, our rabbinic intern and I talked over cups of
coffee, reflecting on the most memorable prayer services we
had ever attended. Every example was painted with a veneer of
happenstance: the right crowd happened to be in the room, or I was
in the right mood. Or the world happened to be in a precarious place
and in that moment I needed prayer. Our memories of heightened prayer experiences
were all marked with a heavy layer of beautiful accident: it just seemed to come together.
The rabbinic tradition preserves a paradigmatic tension that spontaneity and
intentionality in prayer are all bound up with one another, and they are set in opposition
to the set script in our prayer books. The two juxtaposed elements of prayer are keva,
the fixed texts that we are obligated to say; and kavannah, the impromptu personal
supplications that rise to our lips. I wanted to challenge the assumption that prayer
experiences draw their power from improvisation or coincidence.
Already we had a model for that at Temple Beth Am: by the time I arrived at TBA,
Hama’alot was going strong. Every Hama’alot is a fully curated, built-from-scratch
Shabbat morning service mapped onto a loose skeleton of essential elements. A lot
of sweat equity goes into producing a single 90-minute Hama’alot, and the reward is
as great as the effort, every single time. We grafted that value of planfulness and
production of tefillah onto the model of our twice-monthly Friday night Sovev services,
and voila: another thriving prayer archetype was born.
With pride in our fruitful innovations and genuine curiosity for what other brilliant
novelty might be ripening in other Conservative congregations, we proposed to the
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism that we convene a national gathering at
TBA that focused on raising the bar on prayer. This past April, we did just that: Kol Tefilla
was born.
There are not enough words to describe the joy I experienced in welcoming Kol
Tefilla to our community. Hundreds of voices from more than thirty congregations
across the country elevated prayer throughout every space in our building. We sang,
and networked, and studied, and dreamed. From Rabbi Adam Kligfeld’s passion came
months of sweet collaboration with Rabbi Rebecca Schatz, and with the partnership of
USCJ we produced this holy gem of a weekend. I feel deeply invigorated by a reinforcing
network of thinkers that prayer is worthy of investment and loving revisitation. And I
am so proud of our community, and boundlessly grateful for our extraordinary staff and
supportive lay leadership. To those who led us and encouraged us to stretch our visions
of worship, we are indebted.
So much of the beauty brought into Shabbat services with my clergy partners has
been predicated on this vision: that it is indeed possible to take one-time, accidentally
extraordinary worship experiences and recreate them, or at least bits and pieces
of them, over and over again. Excellence in tefillah rises from thoughtfulness and
attentiveness to all possibilities for both the fixed and spontaneous.
Months later, I am still riding the wave of the heightened heights of tefillah at the
April Shabbaton. And I am craving the next elevated worship experience, and the next,
and the next - which is why I am thrilled to share that Kol Tefilla 2019 is already in the
works. Please mark your calendars for Shabbat Shira, January 18-21, 2019 for the next
iteration of this endeavor. We look forward to broadening our circle of song, expanding
to new sites in the Los Angeles area and featuring the world-renowned, Jerusalem-
based the tefillah artists of Nava Tehila.
Excited? Good. We intend for it to be bigger and better than we have yet imagined
prayer could be.
Rabbi Hillary Chorny, CantorKol Ha’am 2
Kol Tefilla: Lessons from a Successful Convention
3 Kol Ha’am
YOUTH LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT
TBA Teens Take Over Far West USY Regional Convention
Over Memorial Day weekend, 21 TBA Teen Leaders (one of the largest delegations) joined their friends for Far West USY’s
Annual Convention, held at Camp Alonim. The weekend was planned and implemented by our very own Mira Berenbaum and Oryah Cohen-Hodos who served as co-chairs for the “Diversity” themed weekend. Two of our TBA Teen leaders were elected by their peers to represent FWUSY on the Regional Board. Noa Kligfeld (11th grade) was elected President and Tobey Lee (10th grade) was elected Religion/Education VP. Both teens will have an opportunity over the next year to impact their USY region and we look forward to all that they will accomplish together.
Why We Do YLETo engage children, teens and their families in
dynamic Jewish experiences, in order to empower them as they embark on Jewish journeys
• JLC Family Experiences – Opened the year with “Ha Otiyot - The Letters,” a program on the Hebrew language, Created an intergenerational experience for families with “L’Dor V’Dor - A Tu B’Shevat Family Program,” and collaborated with Programming and Engagement to “Celebrate Israel at 70”! – JLC families came together for two special Kabbalat Shabbat experiences to celebrate and engage in community. – JLC students culminate the year with exhibit of final projects showcasing their learning and connection to Judaism in annual Siyum (completion) program.
• Epic Family Programming – Over 90 distinct families with Gesher-3rd graders participated in specially themed Epic Chag and Shabbat communal prayer and learning experiences
• Family Shabbaton – Even the steady drizzle couldn’t dampen the spirits at the 2018 TBA Family Shabbaton! From the inclusion of an Epic Kabbalat Shabbat program, to Morah Kira’s leading programming for ECC and Elementary school aged children and parents, to the Adult Trivia Night and all of the familiar wonderful offerings for learning, praying, playing and gaming made this year a legendary experience for the sold-out Shabbaton of 317 participants.
• Purim Celebration – For the 2nd year, ECC and Elementary School aged Temple Beth Am families celebrated Purim with YLE, with over 250 kids participating.
• 6th Grade B’nei Mitzvah Cohort
– 24 Sixth grade TBA families, from across JLC, JPA and J-Girls
and elsewhere, participated in meaningful conversations, learning activities, and rituals, utilizing the Moving Traditions B’nei Mitzvah Pilot curriculum.
• Teens – New model provided 80 Premier Members, up from 35 last year, access to USY, Teen Minyan, leadership opportunities and special pricing for Moving Traditions and Teen programming. – Partnership with Challah for Hunger, Westside JCC and Wilshire Blvd. Temple brought together teens from various communities four times throughout the year to learn about hunger issues in Los Angeles and bond together in the making of deliciously braided hallot.
• Yachad Teens – 12 students participated in the 2nd year of our 7th & 8th grade supplemental social learning program, which included guest speakers, field trips,and a curriculum focused on Jewish values and creativity.
• Moving Traditions – 57 teens met monthly in boys and girl groups serving 8th, 9th and 10th graders.
Coming Soon: Many more ways YLE continues its partnership with youth, teens and families in 2018-19.
A Year in Youth Learning and EngagementThis year, YLE invested in partnering with parents and teens to create these new opportunities
for Jewish learning and engagement for our community’s children and their families:
JLC Kitah Vav Completes their JLC Journey
Kol Ha’am 4
Mazal Tov to our Grads!
Amanda Abeles, daughter of Debbie & Jerry Abeles, graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in International Studies and a minor in French.
Shelley Ackerman, daughter of Ellen & Larry Ackerman, received her Doctorate in Bioengineering, from the Stanford School of Medicine and the School of Engineering. Dr. Ackerman is joining Bolt Biotherapeutics, a company which licensed the cancer immunotherapy technology developed as part of her doctoral thesis.
Liat Bainvoll, daughter of Renne & Ephraim Bainvoll, graduated from UCLA Phi Beta Kappa. She will be working in a doctor’s office and applying to medical school for Fall of 2019.
Michelle Barton was awarded her EdD from UCLA. She will be moving to Houston, TX to become the Head of School at the Shlenker School.
Mira Berenbaum, daughter of Melissa Patack & Michael Berenbaum, graduated from Milken Community Schools. She will be completing a gap year in Israel with Nativ. She then plans to attend Syracuse University – Whitman Business School/Newhouse Communication.
Avi Bernat-Kunin, son of Rabbi Gordon & Dina Bernat-Kunin, graduated from Milken Community Schools. He is going to Maale Gilboa Yeshiva in Israel for a year, and when he returns he will be attending SUNY Binghamton.
Michal Brill, daughter of Dale & Morris Brill, graduated from New West Charter and will be attending Cal State Northridge in the fall.Oryah Cohen-Hodos, son of Andrea Hodos & Aryeh Cohen, graduated from Hamilton High School. Next year he will be attending Maale Gilboa Yeshiva in Israel.
Aaron Feldman, son of Tali & David Feldman, graduated from Milken Community Schools. He’ll be attending Caltech in the fall.
Talia Goldberg, daughter of Ivonne & Daniel Goldberg, graduated from Milken Community Schools. After a gap year she will be attending Barnard College.
Noah Feldman Greene, son of Lisa Feldman & Brian Greene graduated from University of Virginia Law School.
Sam Feldman Greene (and his fiancée, Danielle Rockman), son of Lisa Feldman & Brian Greene graduated from JTS Davidson School of Education with an MAEd.
Jeremy Greenstein, son of Pamela & Jay Greenstein, grandson of Tamara & Marvin Greenstein, graduated from Hamilton High School Academy of Music and Performing Arts. In the fall, he will be attending UC San Diego.
Sarah Goldzweig, daughter of Caroline & Mark Goldzweig, graduated from UC Berkeley.
Aaron Mordecai Herman, son of Larry & Diane Herman, has graduated from Yale University with an MBA. Aaron will be doing an internship with Zebra Technologies in Los Angeles.
Sam Hirschhorn, son of Lilia & Gary Hirschhorn, graduated from Shalhevet. He will be attending Yeshiva Orayata for a year, and then UCLA.
Zach Hirschhorn, son of Lilia & Gary Hirschhorn, graduated from Shalhevet. He will be attending Yeshiva Orayata for a year, and then UCLA.
Talia Wolf Jacobs, granddaughter of Ellen L. & Marty Jacobs, graduated from Berkeley High School. She will be attending UCLA in the Fall.Joshua Katchen, son of Sheryl & Larry Katchen, graduated from David Nazarian school of Business at CSUN.
Hannah Lande, daughter of Mandy & David Lande graduated from Milken Community Schools. She will be attending UCLA in the Fall.
Jake Maman, son of Rishelle & Eric Maman, graduated from Beverly Hills High School. He plans to attend Sacramento State in the fall in the College of Business Administration.
Ariel Maor, son of Juliette & Noam Maor, received his Master’s Degree in Kinesiology - Sports Management from Long Beach State and is working for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Rabbi Rachel Marder received her ordination from the Ziegler School. She will be moving to New Jersey, to assume the position of Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Beth El in South Orange.
Daniel Ornstein, son of Michelle & Steven Ornstein, graduated from Shalhevet High School. He will be attending UCLA.
Moriah Pretsky, daughter of Susie & Josh Pretsky, graduated from de Toledo High School and she will be attending Northeastern University.
David S Rubin, son of Michael & Sonia Rubin, graduated from The George Washington University with a Bachelors of Business. He will be working for the NFL as a Club Operations Coordinator beginning in June of 2018.
Jonah Sanders, son of Sara & Jay Sanders, graduated from Shalhevet High School and will be attending Brandeis University.
Leor Saghian, daughter of Janet Haivy & Haroon Saghian graduated from Hamilton High School and will be attending Santa Monica College.
Jacob Serber, son of Stacey & Barry Serber, graduated from Culver City High School. He will be attending UCLA in the fall.
David Schimmel, son of Julie & Joseph Schimmel, graduated from the Hamilton Music Academy. He will be going on to the American Jewish University.
Aaron Schimmel, son of Julie & Joseph Schimmel, graduated from Lewis and Clark College magma cum laude He will teach in Israel next year in a Masa program.
Miriam Schweiger, daughter of Amy & Bruce Schweiger graduated from Hamilton High School. She will attend Smith College in the fall.
Ben Spar, son of Annie & Elon Spar, graduated from Stanford with a degree in Physics and Math. He will continue his studies in the fall, pursuing a PhD in Physics at Princeton.
Steven Steiner, son of Nancy & Neal Steiner, graduated from Venice High School. He will be attending UC San Diego in the fall.
Sara Stolzenberg-Myers, daughter of Nomi Stolzenberg & David Myers, graduated from Milken Community Schools. She is going to the American University of Paris for a year, and then will be attending USC.
Cantor Michelle Stone was ordained at Academy for Jewish Religion. She will continue to serve TBA as part of our clergy team in a variety of capacities, while continuing her work leading the Los Angeles-based activities for the Shalom Hartman Institute.
Jonah Torgan, son of Deborah & Michael Torgan, graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
Rabbi Chaim Tureff has been awarded his Doctorate degree from Gratz College. His dissertation on the role spirituality and Judaism plays in helping recovering addicts was awarded the L. Bernard Rabinowitz Memorial Award.
Hannah Yaron, daughter of Emily & Itzhak Yaron, graduated from LACES and will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
If we missed your graduation news, please email [email protected]
and we will be happy to share it in the next KHA.
IN MEMORIAMWe mourn the passing of:
Leslie Bard, father of David (Shlomit) Bard
Betty Cogan, mother of Alejandra (Sheldon) Linderman
Ruth Esther Har Zion, mother of Adam (Erith Jaffe-Berg) Berg
Sylvia Koenigsberg, mother of Beth (Michael Williams) Koenigsberg
Roslyn Klarman, mother of Ellen Klarman (Larry) Ackerman and David (Wendy) Klarman,
Sara Pearlman, mother of Eli (Leslie) Pearlman
Esther Pilch, mother of Jessica (Mark) Samuel and Rebecca (George) Greenberg
Shirley “Shandy” Small, wife of Melvin Small
Pauline H. Szkolnik, sister of Bella (Howard) Kapp
Maurice White, father of Marlisse (Gary) Bachrach
Valentina Eyda EzrosGranddaughter of Stella Ezros
Daughter of Sabrina and Lucien EzrosSister to Sateen and Allegra and niece of
Sasha and Alice Ezros, and Jeff EzrosBorn on November 7, 2017
Given the name Eyda
Josephine Freda Moskatel SandGranddaughter of
Barbara Schochet and Ira MoskatelDaughter of Elizabeth Moskatel
and Avram SandBorn on February 5, 2018Given the name Yael Freda
Asher Benjamin KlitofskySon of Lauren and Wayne Klitofsky
Brother of EllaBorn on April 24, 2018
Given the name Asher Benyamin
Rafael Gilad ShapiroSon of Rabbi Sarah Barukh
and Rabbi Matt ShapiroBrother of Jonah and Eliav
Born on May 2, 2018Given the name Rafael Gilad
Natalia Rose Hepner
Granddaughter of Dale and Mark Bodenstein
Daughter of Adina and Boaz HepnerBorn on May 13, 2018
Given the name Nacha Lylah
Lucien Abenhaim, Benjamin Altman, Irwin Bales, Helen Bank, Basil Banks, Sara Lee Barnes, Jack Berman, Rose Bernstein, Mary Kaplan Blank, Bertha Bodian, Mac Bodian, Harry Braun, Bertha Broudy,
Gertrude Bunnage, Gertrude Chorna, Lottie Citron, Seymour Cohen, Shirley Cohen, Meyer Robert Colker, Umberto de Picciotto, Freda Sarah Cantor, Stanley Dvorak, Isadore Murray Eisen, Rebecca Feifel, Simon Feinberg, Frances Friedman, Hyman Friedman, Robert Friedman, Charles Glaser,
Bertha Goldsmith, Aaron Gootkin, Sadie Greenstein, Milton Gritz, Anne Grossman, Esther Hakman, Ruth Esther Har Zion, Herbert Hecht, Sara Hoffman, Ann Hill-Horowicz, Abraham Horn, Fanny Jacobs,
Mildred Jacobs, Samuel Jacobson, Ira Jacoves, Benjamin Kapp, Eva Konheim, Gershel Kaunator, Mildred Kittenplan, Marcy Colker Klein, Charles Klein, Ruth Kraushaar, Isaac Kravit, Naomi Leevan,
Nellie Lefkowitz, Lena Gabler Lemel, Rifca Lovinger, Leonard Low, Edgar Maas, Martha Maas, Sara Maroko, Dvorah Mermelstein, Paul Migdal, Sally Miller, Bessie Millet, Ephraim Moed, Jack Irwin Morris, Jack Ostrow,
Mary Paikow, Sara Parker, Aurora Parras, Marcia Pflug, Dena Post, Aaron Ben Pretsky, Sonya Rakhshmir, David Rebarber, Irene Rebarber, Anne Rosen, Neal Rubin, Abraham Rucker, Joseph Sabban, Charles Sachs,
Lillian Saiger, Mariya Savinskaya, Jacob Samuel, Bina Sherman, Tillie Schechner, Celia Schulman, Irving Schulman, Harold Segel, Yehoshua Sender, Borouch Sirebrenik, Emil Snyder, Stanley Sperling, Abe Spiwak, Richard Spronz, Dora Stein, Beatrice Farkas Stone, David Alan Stone, Amalia Szkolnik,
Suzie Temkin, Lois Tochner, Jerome Ungerleider, Alexander Wagner, Nanny Weinreb, Nathan Weisdorf, Daniel Wilkin, Pearl Witas, Ruth Wolfe
ETHAN KHALILISon of Forouzan and Emil KhaliliMay 10, 2018
Yahrzeit DonationsWe thank those who support the synagogue community
in memory of their loved ones named below:
5 Kol Ha’am
Our B’nei Mitzvah
LOLA BASSIRATDaughter of
Lailee and Farzad BassiratJuly 7, 2018
Bris and Baby Namings
Kathe Pilch on the engagement of her daughter, Kimberlee Walbourne
to Neil Baron.
Pressman Academy’s Sari Abrams and Rav Yosef Kanefsky on the marriage of
their son Adin Kanefsky to Amanda Weiner!
Engagements and Weddings
Mazal Tov to:
LIOR BERRINSon of Sonja and Paul BerrinAugust 18, 2018
OPHIR BERRIN Son of
Sonja and Paul BerrinAugust 18, 2018
SAVYON PETELDaughter of Liora and Eliyaho PetelAugust 25, 2018
JULY/AUGUST 2018 CALENDAR
JULYINDEPENDENCE DAYTemple and Camp Closed
Friday - 6:15 p.m.SHABBAT UNDER THE STARS (ON CORNING FIELD)Followed at 7:30 p.m. by COMMUNITY SHABBAT DINNERJoin together as we welcome our new interim Associate Rabbi, Matt Shapiro RSVP at www.tbala.org/communityshabbat
Sunday - 7:00 p.m.Screening of the documentary Raise the Roof at TBA.(see below for more information)
Saturday - 7:15 p.m.EREV TISHA B’AVService and chanting of Eicha
SundayTISHA B’AVFast Day8:00 a.m. Morning Minyan and chanting of Eicha1:30 p.m. Early MinhaEvening Program with B’nai David Judea & IKAR6:00 p.m. Evening Minyan
FridayLAST DAY OF CAMP KESHET
CLASSES OF THE REMBAUM INSTITUTE OF ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY PROGRAMMINGFor information and class sign-ups, visit www.tbala.org/rembaum, or email [email protected], or call Lia Mandelbaum at (310) 652-7354 x 215
HUMASH WITH RASHI WITH RABBI ADAM KLIGFELDWednesdays, 8:30 a.m., July 11, 18, 25 and August 1, 15, 22, 29
Kol Ha’am 6
4
2122
27
13
15
Screening of the documentary Raise the RoofSunday, July 15
7:00 p.m.18th-centruy inspired
artists Rick and Laura Brown spend 10 years reconstructing
the elaborate roof and painted ceiling of the
Gwozdziec synagogue.
JOIN US THIS SUMMER FOR A TWO-PART PROGRAM:
During Passover of 2016, I started my
journey as the Director of Programming and
Engagement at Temple Beth Am. Rabbi Lucas
and I sat down to discuss the goals and themes
to incorporate as we began to develop programming. While laying the
groundwork, Rabbi Lucas gave me a book written by past TBA scholar
in residence, Dr. Ron Wolfson, called Relational Judaism: Using the Power of Relationships to Transform the Jewish Community. As we set goals, he
wanted me to make sure to apply the main messages of the book about
the dire importance of building/deepening relational engagement,
and to create Jewish experiences that strengthens individual Jewish
consciousness, identity and commitment.
With this goal in mind, one of my main focuses for programming has
been using storytelling to highlight the diverse individual journeys
that exist within our community, and the collective experience(s) as a
richly diverse Jewish peoplehood. After all, the Jewish people are a
nation of storytellers.
This began with my Humans of Beth Am blog, where we conducted
interviews and highlighted close to 30 Temple members. From
there, we had the Global Jewish Fair. Another event was Navigating Difference: Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Jewish Community. This year we took storytelling to another level, and had two incredibly
successful storytelling events. The first was, The Hanukkah Monologues: Heroes, Miracles, and Lights in the Dark; and the most recent was Inspiration from the Desert: Not All Who Wander Are Lost. Both events really helped
build bonds between the storytellers, as well between the storytellers
and the audience.
Common comments that make me feel I’ve accomplished my goals
are: “I’ve known the storyteller for many years and realized there was so much I didn’t know about them, and now feel closer,” “The program helped me to feel seen and heard, and proud about my Jewish journey,” and “the program made me feel proud to be a Jew, and proud of our community.” As I enter my third year as program director, I can’t wait to continue
to approach 5778-5779 with Kavanah, and strengthen relationships,
individual and collective Jewish consciousness, identity and
commitment.
Let me know how you’d like to be involved - I’d love to meet you!
Lia Mandelbaum
From our Director of Programming & Engagement
Resplendent Synagogue: The Art and Architecture of the
Polish Wooden Synagogues With Professor Thomas Hubka
Sunday, August 2610:00 a.m. - noon
at Temple Beth Am
These synagogues and their
communities were destroyed by the Nazis, and their photographic record allows a glimpse into lost liturgical art that was developed
over hundreds of years within Eastern European communities. The striking wooden synagogues
were unique examples of an original Polish-Jewish architecture
that was completely destroyed.
Saturday Morning ServicesMeditation Plus
9:15 a.m. Whiteman Conference Room
Shir Hadash and Beiteinu (combined)9:15 a.m. in Adelson Hall
all weeks exceptJuly 7 and August 25 – in Dorff Nelson Chapel
Library Minyan9:45 a.m. in Dorff Nelson Chapel
all weeks exceptJuly 7 and August 25 in Adelson Hall
7 Kol Ha’am
MORNING MINYAN:
Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m.
Sunday & Federal Holidays: 8:00 a.m.
*Check our website for special holiday morning and evening minyan times
Daily Minyan Times
FRIDAY NIGHTSMonth of July at 6:30* p.m.*July 13 at 6:15 p.m. – Shabbat Under the StarsMonth of August 6:15 p.m.
Saturdays: 90 minutes before the end of Shabbat
EVENING MINYANSunday – Thursdays
Month of July & August at 7:00 p.m.
*July 22 1:30 p.m. Early Minha &
6:00 p.m. Tisha B’Av Program
AUGUSTWednesday - 7:30 p.m.HOW TO KEEP YOUR BRAIN HEALTHY AND WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE AGING PROCESSPresented by Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles Jewish Outreach Program
Sunday - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.JEWISH MINDFULNESS MEDITATION DAY RETREATLed by Dr. Adam Fogel & Rabbi Ariel Sholklapper$75 per person, kosher lunch includedTo register, visit: mindfuljudaism.com/registration
Friday - 6:15 p.m.SHABBAT UNDER THE STARS (ON CORNING FIELD)Followed by 7:30 p.m. CAMP REUNION SHABBAT DINNERDaven with us under the stars, and join together in the Ballroom - we promise lots of camp ruach! All campers and their families are invited for this TBA annual tradition, a great way to end the summer.RSVP at www.tbala.org/communityshabbat
Sunday - 10:00 a.m.RESPLENDENT SYNAGOGUE: THE ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF THE POLISH WOODEN SYNAGOGUESPresentation by Professor Thomas Hubka (see more info on previous page)
Friday - 10:00 a.m.PRESSMAN ACADEMY YOM HEKEIRUT 31
July 6 7:49 p.m.
July 14 7:47 p.m.
July 20 7:44 p.m.
July 27 7:39 p.m.
August 3 7:34 p.m.
August 10 7:27 p.m.
August 17 7:19 p.m.
August 24 7:11 p.m.
August 31 7:02 p.m.
July 7 Pinchas
July 14 Matot-Masei
July 21 Devarim
July 28 Va’etchanan
August 4 Ekev
August 11 Re’eh
August 18 Shoftim
August 25 Ki Tetze
Torah PortionCandle Lighting
19
8
26
HIGH HOLIDAY DATES TO REMEMBERSELIHOT, A Musical Service Under the Stars: Saturday night, September 1
EREV ROSH HASHANAH: Sunday, September 9
FIRST DAY ROSH HASHANAH: Monday, September 10
SECOND DAY ROSH HASHANAH: Tuesday, September 11
TASHLIKH: Sunday, September 16
KOL NIDRE: Tuesday, September 18
YOM KIPPUR: Wednesday, September 19
SUKKOT: Sunday night, September 23-Sunday September 30
SHEMINI ATZERET: Sunday night September 30 - Monday, October 1
SIMHAT TORAH: Monday night, October 1 - Tuesday, October 2
Specific details regarding High Holiday services times and locations will be listed on the back of your tickets and may also be found at www.tbala.org/HHD
24
A Date with a Jew and a Muslim
The Temple Beth Am and Pacifica Institute communities
came together on May 31 for an iftar dinner (Ramadan
break fast). The evening included a conversation between
Rabbi Adam Kligfeld and Haroon Moghul, author of How to be a Muslim: An American Story and the Fellow in Jewish Muslim
Relations at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America.
The two spoke candidly about how their own faith traditions
both elevate and challenge them. The evening included an
opportunity for the two communities to get to know each
other and ask each other the same questions. Rabbi Kligfeld
posted after the event, “We need more of these events. They don’t solve world problems. They don’t tell us how to feel about Gaza. And the US Embassy. But Jews and Muslims knowing one another. Being with one another. Eating with one another. Laughing with one another. Finding mirrors of self in one another. That is just a good thing. And the world needs more of it.”
Kol Ha’am 8
We are thrilled to welcome two stellar educators to the
Pressman Academy leadership team.
We are pleased to welcome Yonatan Rosner
as our new Judaics Studies Principal. Yonatan
comes to Pressman from deToledo High School,
where he was the Co-Director of Jewish Life, the
Director of the T’fillah Kehilah Institute, and the
Curriculum Designer and Advisor for grades 9-12
at deToledo High School. Yonatan has a B.A. in Jewish Philosophy
and Cognitive Science from Hebrew University, an M.A. in Jewish
Education from Hebrew University, an MBA from California State
University in Northridge, and has completed the Officer Training
Academy in the IDF. Additionally, Yonatan is a 2013 Pomegranate
Prize winner, a prestigious award given to Jewish educators from
The Covenant Foundation in recognition of their exceptionalism as
emerging professionals in Jewish educational settings across the
country. Beyond his resume, we have been consistently impressed
by Yonatan’s energy, creativity, and dedication. He has proven
himself to be both a confident and innovative educator as well as
a reflective professional. He possesses a depth of knowledge and
passion for Jewish education that will enhance the strong program
already in place. We are excited to welcome Yonatan, his wife,
Jessica, and their three children - Avriella (10), Ness (8.5), and Shiloh
(7) - who will also be joining the Pressman Academy community in
fall 2018. Yonatan’s first day at Pressman will be on July 9th. He can
be reached at [email protected].
Sarah Walker is coming in as our new Interim
General Studies Principal for Kindergarten
through eighth grade. Sarah has over 24 years of
experience in schools. Most recently she worked
as the Head of School at the Montessori School
in Connecticut and at the Shreiner Academy
in Atlanta, both serving ECC through 8th grade. Prior to these
Headships, Sarah worked as a middle and high School English
teacher, as a K-12 reading specialist, as a Dean of Student life,
and as an Academic Dean. Sarah’s references described her as a
person who “exudes positivity, joy, encouragement, and a profound
respect and reverence for learning.” They shared that Sarah is an
honest and thoughtful leader whose open lines of communication
build trust and community. Indeed, from the first conversation I
had with Sarah, I found her to be warm, astute and knowledgeable,
and I know that Pressman will benefit from her experience and
insight. Sarah’s first day at Pressman will be on July 2nd. She can be
reached at [email protected].
Please join me in welcoming Yonatan and Sarah to the Pressman
Academy & Temple Beth Am communities!
Dr. Erica Rothblum
High Holidays 2018 Children and Teen Programming
Temple Beth Am offers a variety of exciting activities for
children age 6 months through 7th grade. Children will enjoy
davening together, listening to the Shofar, and interactive games
and learning. These programs are provided to accommodate
children and teens whose parents and/or relatives daven in
Shir Hadash, Library Minyan and Beiteinu. Teen programing
for grades 8th-12th occur each of the High Holidays, with
interactive prayer, learning and snacks.
If you are in 8th grade or above, bring your love for working
with children and serve as a Madrikh Counselor. Successful
Madrikhim are responsible, dynamic, energetic and patient
people who want to work in Jewish environment during High
Holidays. All Madrikh counselors must formally apply for the
position before being hired for this important role.
For more information on any of these opportunities,
Please visit www.tbala.org/hhdyouth or contact Reut Sklar at
[email protected] or (310) 652-7354 x 212
FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL
TBA ONE LA LEARNS ABOUT HOMELESSNESS AND HOLDS
OUR OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE
Members of TBA OneLA are interested in the issues
of homelessness. On April 10th we hosted Leticia
Colchado, Principal Analyst, Homeless Initiative, Office
of Homelessness, County of Los Angeles who informed
us about the plan for using Measure H funding to serve
people who are homeless. We heard that the plan was
created with an inclusive and collaborative planning
process that included people who had been and are
homeless. One of the most important aspects is a large
increase in the number of outreach teams who match
the homeless to the appropriate services.
The next Sunday, we joined Temple Emanuel at
Temple Isaiah for an action with Councilmember
Paul Koretz. After a discussion, in small groups, of
our experiences with affordable housing issues,
Councilmember Koretz joined us. He heard three
stories from the community and then was asked to
respond to questions regarding his agreement to
create an emergency shelter in CD5. We told Koretz
that we would like to partner with him in his efforts. A
follow up meeting is being planned for June.
If you are interested in issues of affordable
housing and homelessness and would like to join us,
email Nancy at [email protected], Paula at
9 Kol Ha’am
Oh What A Night! From JPA parents to staff to long-time
TBA members, there was consensus that the May 6th
Groundbreaking gala was one for the record books! Councilman
Paul Koretz joined us for a Groundbreaking Ceremony to mark
this milestone occasion for our building projects. “Super Sue”
Hetsroni and “Wonder Karen” Fried, our extraordinary honorees
were worthy of all the praise they received - and then some!
From the set-up on Corning Field, the delicious menu, the fun
Passing of the Shovel, the Weather!, the lovely ballroom decor,
the eloquent tributes and the hysterical, professional videos
- it was an incredible night for over 350 guests. Special thanks
to our wonderful Gala Co-Chairs Stuart Tochner, Cindy Levey,
Lisa Aaron Petlak, Elyssa Elbaz and Jennifer Elad, in partnership
with our talented TBA Staff for making this a night to remember.
Kol Ha’am 10
GENERAL FUND IN HONOR OFAliyah & 2nd Bar Mitzvah Len FeldmanTemple Beth Am Edward Miles-ArnoldSusan Hetsroni’s honor at A Groundbreaking Gala Renee BainvollThe birth of Lee & Luis Lainer’s grandson Susan Laemmle & John AntignasSusan Hetsroni & Karen Fried Ariella Moss PeterseilThe birth of Dale & Mark Bodenstein’s granddaughter, Sandra & Bob BraunNacha Lylah Rabbi Kligfeld Hannah Levenkron & Nathan Stoppleman
IN MEMORY OFMiriam Elkins Melissa & Michael BerenbaumRuth Esther Har Zion & Yehudah Har Zion Donna GeffnerInga Jensen Melissa & Michael BerenbaumEstela Martinez Melissa & Michael Berenbaum, Karen & Zev Fried, Bobbie Feinberg & Ely Malkin, Deborah Musher & Rabbi Joe Menashe, Susie & Josh PretskyPeggy L. Miller Jeff & Judy GottesmanLucia Muller Melissa & Michael BerenbaumSara Pearlman Adrian & Larry MillerSandra Shipow Melissa & Michael BerenbaumEdith Stern Melissa & Michael BerenbaumMaurice White John Antignas & Susan Laemmle, Melissa & Michael BerenbaumEsther Pilch Susan Green & Robert Ring
BILL STRICK MEMORIAL HELPING HAND FUNDIN MEMORY OFMiriam Elkins Allan TobinPauline H. Szkolnik Sherri & Mike CohnMaurice White Vivian & Ron Alberts
REMBAUM INSTITUTE OF ADULT & FAMILY PROGRAMS IN MEMORY OFMaurice White Anita Happel
CAMPUS RENOVATION & EXPANSION PROJECTIN HONOR OFMichael Carloni Linda & Nessim HamiThe Elias Family Laurie Stone Parker & Stephen W. Parker
IN MEMORY OFEstela Martinez Susan Laemmle & John Antignas, Shani & Seth Fisher, Nadine Gerson, Marlene & Harvey Glaser, Frida & Mark Greenberg, Tina & Leon Kaminski, Rosanne Keynan & Elizabeth Flier, Monica, Gabriel, Nina & Jesse Kramer, Kathy Lebovic, Phyllis & Mitchell Miller, Susan & Arthur Mishler, Debbie Rich, Natalie Roberts, Liora Rothchild-Reder & Ben Reder, Roberta, David, Adina, Sam Rosenberg, Silon Family, Regina, Steven and Samantha Silver, Dianne Shershow, Natalie Weiss & Aaron Willis, Julie & Eric WeissmanMurray Ravett Leslie & Eli PearlmanEsther Pilch Dorit & Joel Cooper
DAILY MORNING MINYANIN HONOR OFAliyah and Hagbah Robert Bird
PRESSMAN ACADEMY DAY SCHOOLIN HONOR OFThe birth of the baby grandson Schwimmer Natalie RobertsTobie Schwimmer to get well soon Natalie RobertsRabbi Chaim Tureff officiating The Kapp & Szkolnik FamiliesShiva services for our beloved Pauline Szkolnik Avi Litvak’s Bar Mitzvah Nina LitvakThe birth of Rafi Shapiro Elaine Parker & BJ Elias
Temple Beth Am Gratefully Acknowledges Donations through June 2, 2018
PROGRESS CONTINUES IN THE SANCTUARY - a picture is worth 1000 words
Check it out!www.tbala.org/construction
We will be posting photos and timely updates
as we move from the demo phase through foundation and renovation work in our Sanctuary and on Corning. A new camera is being set up so you can view our progress in real time! We’re also scheduling site visits, or contact our Executive Director Sheryl Goldman to arrange for a private viewing. It’s not too late to support our projects! Contact Director of Advancement Hilary Hellman at [email protected] to discuss a naming opportunity or other ways to contribute to our Campus Expansion.
11 Kol Ha’am
Rabbi Tureff receiving his doctorate Sanders Family Jacob Kahtan and Pressman class of 2018 Mickey & Haim Kahtan
IN MEMORY OFPauline H. Szkolnik Sheryl & Seth Goldman, Lisa & Alan PetlakSusie Temkin Natalie Roberts
JPA SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FUNDIN HONOR OFBarbara Breger Helen & Martin Wachs
PRESSMAN ACADEMY ECCIN HONOR OFThe birth of Amelia Belle Spiwak Metson Urman FamilyJacob Kahtan and Pressman class of 2018 Mickey & Haim Kahtan
IN MEMORY OFAlan Weissman Leslie & Eli Pearlman
PILCH SCHOLARSHIP FUND (JLC)IN MEMORY OFEsther Pilch Jessica Liberman, Janet Metson Urman & Harold Urman
THE LAINER LIBRARY IN HONOR OFGail Maloff Judith Snyder
IN MEMORY OFLeslie Bard Kamras Family
MUSIC PROGRAMMINGIN HONOR OFKol Tefilla Shabbaton Irving Prengler
PROGRAMMING AND ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENTIN HONOR OFRabbi Ari Lucas Lori Harrison & David Horwich, Family Kupferwasser
PRESSMAN ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP FUNDIN HONOR OFThe birth of Dale & Mark Bodenstein’s Sharon & Brad Grobgranddaughter, Nacha Lylah The birth of Sheila & Alan Spiwak’s granddaughter Sharon & Brad Grob
IN MEMORY OFEstela Martinez Abbey Bacharach & Jeff Presser, Lesley Bloom, Elham MakabiMiriam Elkins Sharon & Brad GrobPauline H. Szkolnik Sharon & Brad GrobEsther Pilch Sharon & Brad GrobMaurice White Sharon & Brad Grob
PRAYERBOOK FUNDIN HONOR OFRabbi Ari Lucas Susan Laemmle & John Antignas, Michael Grusd, Ellen L. & Marty Jacobs, Hannah & Marshall Kramer, Roberta, David, Adina & Sam Rosenberg, Rabbi Adam Kligfeld for officiating at Matt Shapiro & Sarah Barukhthe bris of Rafael Gilad Shapiro
MARCY COLKER KLEIN/BARRY SHAPIRO MEMORIAL FUNDIN HONOR OFDvorah Colker as the 2018 Marjorie Pressman Beryl E. ArbitLegacy Award recipient from Friends of Sheba Medical Center
IN MEMORY OFStanley Sperling Leona Sperling
ROBERT FRIEDMAN MEMORIAL FUNDIN HONOR OFJerry Becker’s Birthday Elaine & Larry Friedman
IN MEMORY OFTerry Myerson’s father Elaine & Larry FriedmanStanley Sperling Leona Sperling
EMILY GREENSTEIN MEMORIAL FUNDIN HONOR OFMarvin Greenstein’s 90th Birthday Marlene & Harvey GlaserJay Greenstein’s Birthday Jonathan FriedmanTorah Club Laraine & Allan Kokin
IN MEMORY OFEmily Greenstein Ed Elhaderi, Rabbi Susan Leider, Bobbie Fienberg & Ely Malkin
TORAH CLUB IN HONOR OFEitan Feldman David FeldmanNina Golden David FeldmanJoshua Lefferman’s Graduation Jill & Matt Lefferman
IN MEMORY OFGrace Friedman, on her birthday Jonathan Friedman
WALTER J. COHEN FUNDIN MEMORY OFRegina, Harold Urman’s sister Roberta, David, Adina, Sam RosenbergBates F. Metson Roberta, David, Adina, Sam RosenbergBarbara Silverstone Roberta, David, Adina, Sam Rosenberg
RABBI KLIGFELD’S DISCRETIONARY FUNDIN HONOR OFIn thanks and in gratitude to Rabbi Kligfeld Ron & Vivian AlbertsIn thanks for yahrzeit acknowledgment Elaine & Larry FriedmanIn thanks to Rabbi Kligfeld Tamara & Marvin GreensteinYom Hashoah Rachmil HakmanMy Birthday Rachmil HakmanAliyah to the Torah Rachmil HakmanJacob Kahtan and Pressman class of 2018 Mickey & Haim Kahtan
IN MEMORY OFEsther Hakman Rachmil HakmanFanny Jacobs Morton Jacobs MDPauline Skzolnik Fred & Gail Szkolnik
RABBI MATT SHAPIRO’S DISCRETIONARY FUNDIN HONOR OFIn thanks to Rabbi Lucas Tamara & Marvin GreensteinIn thanks to Rabbi Lucas Pam & Jay Greenstein & Family
RABBI CHORNY’S DISCRETIONARY FUNDIN HONOR OFIn thanks to Rabbi Chorny Tamara & Marvin Greenstein
LIBRARY MINYAN FUNDIN HONOR OFLarry Herman’s Birthday and d’var Torah Diane & Larry HermanReunion of Alice Weit & Simon Gronowski Mark Hess & Miriam Prum HessLibrary Minyan Kiddush Robert & Sandra Braun, Jules Kamin & Cathy-Ann Lippman, Eric Chaim KlineElliot Tessel reading Torah Ted CofskyLorri Tessel’s birthday Ted CofskyBirth of grandson to Dale & Mark Bodenstein John Antignas & Susan LaemmleBirth of granddaughter to Dale & Mark Bodenstein John Antignas & Susan Laemmle50th anniversary of my Bar Mitzvah Henry MorgenAbe Berman reading Haftorah Annette BermanOccasion of my rabbinic ordination Rachel Salston60th birthday of Cantor Joey Schimmel Kate & Stephen Adney, Wilma SchimmelInspiring love my parents share Lia MandelbaumAliyah to the Torah Baruch LinkWarm welcome to Library Minyan Phyllis Cohen & Jeffrey LazarusElementary school graduation of Hannah Ilana & Tal Grinblat8th & 12 grade graduation Michael & Melissa Berenbaum, Dina & Gordon Bernat-Kunin, Robert & Tamara Bernstein, Dale & Morris Brill, Aliza & Dave Chameides, Dorit & Joel Cooper, Andrew & Stephanie Eisen, David & Revital Feldman, Karen & Zev Fried, Daniel & Ivonne Goldberg, Ilana & Tal Grinblat, Gary & Lilia Hirschorn, Rabbi, Adam & Havi Kligfeld, Glen & Lara Krinsky, David & Mandy Lande, Jill & Matthew Lefferman, Charles & Laura Mandel, David Myers & Nomi Stolzenberg, Michelle & Steve Ornstein, Joshua & Susan Pretsky, Benjamin & Liora Rothchild, Gregory & Shari Sabo, Eldad & Hengameh Safaei, Joseph & Julie Schimmel, Steve & Sue Wallock, David & Janet WeissmanIN MEMORY OFYahrzeit of Jenny Bazyler, mother of Manya Beier Don & Manya BeierPaul Miller’s mother John Antignas & Susan LaemmleMiriam Elkins Rachel Sisk
SISTERHOOD DONATIONS
To place a Sisterhood Tribute, contact Marlene Glaserat (310) 550-1738 or email: [email protected]
SPEEDY RECOVERYJudy Bunnage Elaine Gross
CONDOLENCESThe Family of Miriam Elkins Elaine GrossLoss of Mother & Grandmother, Miriam Elkins Harriet Fox Navarra Marlene & Harvey Glaser Loss of Father, BobAlejandra Linderman & Family Tamara, Marvin, Jay & Jeremy Greenstein, Cathy and Jeff Turkell Jessica Samuel & Rebecca Greenberg & Family Marlene and Harvey GlaserLoss of Mother, Esther
SPECIALRuth Moll Thank you for the Purim BasketRuth Moll Torah Fund Contribution
Periodicals Postage Paid at Los Angeles, California and additional mailing offices.
Kol Ha’am (USPS 008-599)Temple Beth Am1039 S. La Cienega Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90035-2507