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The Torch / April 22, 2015 / 3 Iyar 5775
In This Issue
Vote ARZA!
Week of JewishWisdom and Wellness
Bat Mitzvah Spotlight
Walk to End Genocide
Song of the AngelsFlute Orchestra
Community Calendar
This Week
Fri. 4/24
6:00 Kinder Shabbat
7:30pmShabbat Evening Service
Sat., 4/25
10:30amBat Mitzvah of Emily Glenn
Sun. 4/26
9:15amAROMA! with specialguest Rabbi StanleyDavids discussing:"Discovering Some TruthsHidden in Front of ourEyes"
Mazal Tov
You can Vote for a Democratic Israel!Choose ARZA Slate Before April 30
As a delegate on the ARZA slate along with Rabbi Stanley Davids,we need your vote in the World Zionist Congress Elections. The WZC is like a Parliament of the Jewish People,representing all of world Jewry. America Reform rabbis andleaders of the Union for Reform Judaism represent 1.3 millionAmerican Jews whose voice can be heard in Israel!
Rabbi Eric Yoffie explains why this vote is soimportant. If you have not already done so,please clickhere https://www.reformjews4israel.org,register and vote for the ARZA Slate (i.e. theAssociation of Reform Zionists of America). There is a onetime only administrative chargeof $5 for Jews (1830) and $10 for Jews over 30. What is the ARZA Platform?
Support for gender equality in the State of IsraelSupport for religious equality in the State of IsraelSupport for peace through commitment to a twostatesolution of the IsraeliPalestinian Conflict
Why does it matter that you vote for ARZA? ARZA currently holds 39% of the US representation in the WorldZionist Congress. Our strength has led to $20 million given to theIsraeli Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) to support itsrabbis, congregations, and social justice work. The Israeligovernment has also provided 4 new buildings for Reformcommunities around Israel because of our large American ReformZionist representation. Our success in this election is one sure way to continuebuilding our Israeli Reform institutions which support civilmarriage unions, egalitarianism at the Western Wall, antiRacism laws, antiPoverty activism, and many other social
Susan Corwin onreceiving the Woman ofExcellence Award fromVista Del Mar. Susan isjoined by her husbandScott Corwin, RabbiFeinstein, son JoshuaCorwin and sister Dr.Sharon Roseman.
Rabbi Stanley Davids onreceiving the AEPi Order ofthe Lion Award Gia Friedberg, daughter of JordanFriedberg and JanineGershon, will representthe greater Los Angelesarea playing on thewomen's soccer team inthe Maccabiah Games which will be held inMilwaukee this summer. Rabbi Morley Feinsteinwho represented theJewish Community at the100th anniversarycommemoration of theArmenian Genocide.Alongside Rabbi Feinsteinare Lutheran Bishop GuyErwin, Episcopal BishopJon Bruno, and SuffraganEpiscopal Bishop MaryGlasspool. He also spokeat the first City of LA Dayof Religious Pluralism atCity Hall.
justice causes. Thank you for your support! Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Lisabeth Lobenthal I've only been at University Synagogue for about a monthand it already feels like home. I am thankful that mypredecessor, Julie, put together an amazing administrativeteam and our clergy and educational leaders are among thebest I have known.
I am taking the time to acquaint myself with the people andculture of University Synagogue. The congregation is warm, welcoming, andsmart, helping to bring us to the next level of success. I approach my role as Executive Director from a variety of levels. I have abusiness mind, ensuring the budget is on track, our facilities are runningsmoothly, and the operations function well. The lay leadership is top notch andI'm proud to be their partner. But the most important thing to me is that we are acommunity which welcomes the stranger and family member alike. All should feellike this is their home away from home. There is a lot to juggle because we have so many exciting things happening bothin the community and right here in our building. The list is long. From DanNichols who moves us with his soulful, spiritual music, Big Sunday where ourcommunity engages in Tikkun Olam, to our own moving services and vibrantactivities. High Holy Days is of course, on the list. We are already preparing so we thankyou in advance for helping make things run smoothly by getting your forms inquickly. A reminder that this year, we have a new machzor/High Holy Dayprayerbook. Sponsoring and dedicating Mishkan HaNefesh (see below) is a lovelyopportunity to honor and/or remember a loved one. Please help me get to know you. Give me a call so we can get acquainted. I'mreally looking forward to meeting you. Here's to a great year ahead. L'Shalom,Lisabeth
Kalsman Institute of HUC & Cedars Sinai presentJewish Wisdom and Wellness 2015
Monday, April 27, 7:30 pm 9:30 pmAlzheimer's Disease Today: Still Alice, The Judy Fund, & theAlzheimer's AssociationTeacher(s): Susan M. Galeas, MSW, MPH, Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns, Dr. Edmond Teng, Neurologist, and Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein
UniSyn SoftballScheduleSunday, April 26
UniSyn (Div. B) won 2210 last Sunday keepingthem in contention for theplayoffs. Next gamev. VBS at 1pm, Sepulveda,Diamond #4
Unisyn Too (Div. D) v.Beth Ami, 9am at MasonPark in Chatsworth.
Sponsor: The Judy Fund of the Alzheimer's Association and UniversitySynagogueLocation: Chapel
Join us for an engaging discussion about the state of Alzheimer's Diseasetoday with a panel of experts sharing the facts about the disease, what thefuture holds, and local resources for care and support.
Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns, CoProducer, Still Alice and Chair,The Judy Fund will share history of The Judy Fundand the making of Still Alice, the film starring Oscaraward winner Julianne Moore. She will share theimpact both have in the fight against Alzheimer'sDisease.
Dr. Edmond Teng, Assistant Professor,Department of Neurology, David GeffenSchool of Medicine at UCLA will walk us through the facts aboutthe disease, early warning signs, treatments, prevention and therace for a cure.
Susan Galeas, President and CEO, Alzheimer's AssociationSouthland Chapter, will review the Alheimer's landscape here inthe greater Los Angeles community and discuss care options,support for those living with the disease and their families, and waysto get involved.
Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein will address how we express our FifthCommandment, honoring our parents, when they are afflicted withAlzheimer's. How do we fulfill our spiritual obligations when it maybe emotionally difficult for us?
The discussion will be followed by a Q & A._____________________________________
Tuesday, April 28 & Thursday, April 30, 10:00 am 11:00 amJewish YogaTeacher, Rachael Fawn StoneLocation: Klein Hall*Please bring a yoga mat______________________________________
Tuesday, April 28, 7:00 pm 8:30 pmMoving Through Grief and BeyondTeacher(s): Marilyn Lazar, LCSW and Rabbi Morley FeinsteinSponsor: University Synagogue and Jewish Family Service of Los AngelesLocation: Beit Midrash of the Weinstein Family Libarary
Click here to read more about this group.*A bereavement support group will be forming at UniversitySynagogue, facilitated by the EZRA Network social worker, MelissaPottash. Please call 3238102781 for more information._______________________________________
Wednesday, April 29, 10:00 am 11:00 amHealing ServiceCantor Kerith SpencerShapiroLocation: Beit Midrash of the Weinstein Family Library________________________________________
Wednesday, April 29, 11:15 am 1:15 pm
'UnOrthodox' Spiritual Washing Ceremonies from the JewishTraditionTeacher, Rabbi Avivah Erlick BCC, a healthcare chaplain who offers taharahto hospice patients, at the mortuary or in the home.Location: Beit Midrash of the Weinstein Family LibraryThis class will present: both traditional and new, "unOrthodox" approaches to Judaism's postdeath purification ritethe beauty of taharah, and the power of this ultimate mitzvahthe rules of taharah, and the role of the Hevrah Kadishaa survey of alternative rituals in today's culture of personalization________________________________________
To read more about this program and register for classes, clickhere. Or, please contact Program Coordinator, Erin Weiser at [email protected].
Bat Mitzvah Spotlight: Emily Glenn Emily is the daughter of Dana & Jonathan Glenn. School:Paul Revere Middle School Spiritual Highlight:For me, the spiritual highlight of becoming a Bat Mitzvahis being able to participate in the Golden Kippahprogram. I really liked how my regular Torah studiesoverlapped with some of my favorite activities, such ashelping out at the local shelter and reading. It taught methat Jewish values are part of my everyday life.
Tzedakah Project: Volunteering at NKLA (No Kill Los Angeles), which is an animal shelter. I took careof the animals by walking them, feeding them and playing with them. I helpedsome of the dogs with problems such as being fearful of strangers. It helpedmany animals prepare for their future homes, and it saves many from certaindeath at other shelters.
Walk to End Genocide 2015Jessie Downey
On Sunday, April 19 thousands of Los Angeles residents of all faiths gathered inPan Pacific Park for the Jewish World Watch Walk to End Genocide. We say"Never Again" with regard to our own history and future, and as we walked, we
spoke up. With each step, our community took a stand against genocide. JewishWorld Watch is a leading organization in the fight against genocide and massatrocities and we were honored to have over 65 children and adults on our UniSynteam. Our community alone raised over $2200 for this important cause and wecame together for a morning of learning and activism. Click here to view the entirephoto album of the Walk.
PleaseJoin US in the Sanctuaryfor a World Premiere Concert by Michael Isaacson, UniSyn composerin residence
Sunday, May 3, 2015
featuring soloists that includeCantor Kerith SpencerShapiro
Please click here for more information and to reserve yourseats now!
With honor, we invite you to usher in an exciting era of worshipby dedicating our new High Holy Days prayerbook, MishkanHaNefesh. With your donation of $54, a special nameplate will beplaced in each of the two volumes of Mishkan HaNefesh and willserve as a lasting tribute during our High Holy Days for years tocome.
Dedicate your prayerbook here!
For more information and updates on what's happening at University Synagogue...like us on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/UniSynagogue
Community Calendar SYNAGOGUE EVENTS Sunday, April 26, 910amSisterhood's next lunchmaking for Daybreak Shelter for women in the synagogue kitchen. We always needhelp. Please join us! For info. please contact Suzy Giambatttista at [email protected]. Monday, April 27, 23pmTraumatic Brain Injury/Stroke Support GroupThis group is for people 18 years and older for TBI, stroke survivors, families and caregivers. This group will meetevery other Monday in room 205. You may contact the facilitators Linda Riback at 310,531.6043 or Dana Rivera at310.428.4822. Tuesday, May 5, 6:15pm (Cinco de Mayo!)Margaritas and Mah Jongg: A Girls Night OutSpend a fun evening with your friends! Don't know how to play?? Lessons for beginners will be provided.$18/per person, Klein Hall. Reservations by May 2nd are a must! Reserve here! Saturday, May 9, 10:30amJoin Silver Generation for bagels and discussion with Rabbi Stanley Davids: "Fifty Years a Rabbi Would IDo it All Over Again??" Please RSVP here by May 7th. Tuesday, May 19, 79pmgriefHaven Open Support Group for Grieving ParentsGrief Support for Parents Who Have Lost A Child. This is a"dropin", open group, with a suggested donation of $20. Room 243 on the main floor. This group will continue to meet on the 3rd Tuesday evening every month. To learnmore about griefHaven, visit www.griefHaven.org This group will be facilitated by Susan Whitmore, Grief Specialistand founder of griefHaven. Food Forward and University Synagogue Farmer's Market connection:Food Forward events page to volunteer to glean at the Brentwood Farmer's market on Sundayshttp://foodforward.org/events/Anyone who wants to volunteer to drive the boxes of gleaned food to PATH should email Leah ([email protected])or Sarah ([email protected] ) by the Thursday before each glean. This way they will know if they need to findsomeone else to make the delivery. PATH is at 2346 Cotner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064.
COMMUNITY EVENTS Thursday, April 23, 8pmMovie Premier of Body and Soul, the State of the Jewish Nation, by Gloria Greenfield.Arclight Cinemas, 15301 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Purchase tickets here. Link to view trailer here.
Sunday, April 26, 35pmKickoff Event for the Israeli Delegation for the Special OlympicsUniversity Synagogue is a cosponsor of this delegation!Guest speakers including David Siegel, Consul General of Israel, Congressman Ted Lieu and President & CEO of the2015 Special Olympics World Games, Patrick McClenahan. Find out ways to be involved!Leo Baeck Temple, 1300 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Sunday, May 10, 1010:30amMother's Day Remembrance Service at Hillside Memorial Park, led by Cantor Kerith SpencerShapiro andRabbi Cantor Alison Wissot of Temple Judea. Special guest speaker, Fredda Wasserman of OUR HOUSE GriefSupport Center, presents, A Mother's Day Journey Through Memories, Hope and Healing. To obtain more details aboutthis special event click here.
Sunday, May 17, 11am6pmCelebrate Israel Festival! Israel's 66th Independence Day FestivalSpecial events for the whole family will be happening all day at Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, located at 2551 MotorAve. in Los Angeles. This year 15,000 people are expected to attend the celebrations. Please mark your calendar withthis date! For much more information and to purchase tickets, click here!
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