August 30, 2018

Rosner’s Torah Talk: Parshat Ki Tavo with Rabbi Abby Jacobson

Leave a Comment / Israel, Rosner's Domain, Videos / Shmuel Rosner

Rabbi Abby Jacobson received her rabbinic ordination, along with a Master’s degree in Hebrew Letters, from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, New York City, in 2009. Rabbi Jacobson has been a proud member of the Emanuel Synagogue in Oklahoma City since August 1, 2009. She is also the current president (and long-time board member) of the Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma.

This week’s Torah Portion – Parashat Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8) – begins with Moses instructing the people of Israel to bring the first fruit they reap in the holy land to the Holy Temple in gratitude to God. The portion continues to state the laws concerning tithes given to the Levites and to the poor. Moses then gives the children of Israel instructions on the blessings and curses they must say at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (the “Mount of the Blessing” and the “Mount of the Curse”). At the end of the portion, Moses gives lists of good and bad things that will happen to the people of Israel if they follow or stray from the Torah. Our discussion will focus on the pasuk “Arami Oved Avi” (My father was a wandering Aramean) and on its role in forming a historically conscious people and national identity.

Previous Talks on Ki Tavo

Rabbi Michael Ragozin

Rosner’s Torah Talk: Parshat Ki Tavo with Rabbi Abby Jacobson Read More »

I Need a Camel Like I Need an Umbrella – A Poem for Haftarah Ki Tavo by Rick Lupert

Nati Passow: Combining Judaism and Food Justice

Leave a Comment / Culture / Allison Futterman

When you combine deep passion for environmental issues, agriculture and Judaism, you have Nati Passow. As the co-founder and executive director of the nonprofit Jewish Farm School in Philadelphia, Passow works to be a force for positive change, based on Jewish agricultural and religious traditions. The Jewish Farm School uses Jewish history and traditions and applies them to the modern world.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a double major in religion and environmental studies, Passow spoke with the Journal about why his passion for environmental food justice is an intrinsic part of Judaism.

Jewish Journal: What led you to start the Jewish Farm School?

Nati Passow: In 2002, after college, I went to work at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Connecticut – a Jewish environmental center. Jewish day schools would bring their students to do several activities related to forest ecology, nature and Judaism. [Our] group of educators all lived together on campus. I got to meet other people with similar interests in environmentalism and Judaism. I was there for two years. For a couple of years after I left, I would go back to visit. That’s how I connected with other folks and we got the idea to create the Jewish Farm School.

JJ: How did you translate your vision into reality?

NP: There was this guy, Mark Barnett, who had a similar idea. He wound up not being able to do it because he was in law school, but he had this 30-page proposal that he gave us, and in 2005 a group of five or six of us decided to launch the organization. That really just meant buying the website. Our thought was that we would just start running programs and see where it took us.

JJ: Where did it take you?

NP: We’ve become pretty entrepreneurial about it and have grown [into] a full-fledged organization. It’s been a full-time job for me since 2008. Since 2013, we’ve scaled back on rural work and focused more on urban agriculture, urban sustainability and food justice. The Jewish agricultural tradition is built on the most repeated idea throughout the Torah: “We shall not oppress the stranger.”

JJ: How does this caveat pertain to food justice?

NP: The blueprint for a just and equitable sustainable society was an agriculturally based society, where most people were farmers. In Judaism, there is little separation between agricultural laws and other laws. We were strangers in the land of Egypt. That’s a powerful notion for me. We drew on our ancestral experience of being slaves in Egypt to design our own society, where we alleviate and address pain, suffering and injustice.

An example is leaving the corners in the fields for those who don’t have fields of their own. We are compelled to create a society focused on the needs of the most vulnerable. One of our main tasks is to bridge the gap between ancient laws and bring them into a contemporary context.

JJ: How are you doing that?

NP: We partner with the JCC (Jewish Community Center) in Northeast Philly, which is one of the last remaining pockets of working class and poor Jewish communities. They have a Jewish meals-on-wheels program, and we helped them to expand their garden-growing capacity. This allowed them to grow more healthy, organic produce to distribute to their clients. We also work closely with communities impacted by food injustice, where there are no supermarkets. We recruit and mobilize volunteers to help out on farms serving those communities where it’s harder to get fresh produce.

JJ: Even though your programs are steeped in Jewish tradition, you state that everyone is welcome. Is that reflected in your programming?

NP: Absolutely. It varies by program. Our volunteers are probably 50-50 Jews and non-Jews. Our shtetl program teaches practical skills of sustainability, such as compositing, beer brewing and cheese making, and we tie in a Jewish connection. Our newest program is a study group that looks at texts and academic articles about Jewish history and how the Jews have been related to the land at different times.

JJ: Has Judaism always been an important part of your life?

NP: Yes. I grew up in a Modern Orthodox community and I went to a Jewish day school. Although I don’t identify as Orthodox anymore, Judaism always played a strong role in my life in various forms. Certainly over last 13 years or so, it’s been part of my main focus professionally.

JJ: What kind of impact has the Jewish Farm School had on the Jewish community?

NP: We’re still a relatively small organization, but we have over 500 people coming through our programs each year, and it’s been growing. There’s definitely an impact on the local level, because there aren’t that many other organizations in the Philly area doing similar work at the nexus of Judaism and the environment. We act in solidarity with other local initiatives to address food injustice. A lot of our impact on the Jewish community is on a personal level. We’ve had participants who had experiences with Judaism that weren’t so great. One thing we’ve been able to do is present Judaism to them in a way that is new, even though we draw on older traditions. We make connections for them that they didn’t know existed.

Allison Futterman is a freelance writer living in Charlotte, N.C.

Nati Passow: Combining Judaism and Food Justice Read More »

What’s Happening: Selichot, Chabad Telethon, Spielberg

Leave a Comment / What's Happening / Ryan Torok

FRI AUG 31

SHABBAT UNDER THE STARS
Temple Ramat Zion celebrates Shabbat Under the Stars in the courtyard of the Conservative congregation in Northridge. 7:30 p.m. Free. 17655 Devonshire St., Northridge. (818) 360-1881. trz.org

MAESTRO OF THE MOVIES
John Williams, the 86-year-old composer of the musical soundtracks for “Star Wars,” “ET,” “Jurassic Park,” “Indiana Jones,” “Harry Potter” and other movies, celebrates the 40th anniversary of his debut at the Hollywood Bowl with a trio of concerts over Labor Day weekend. Director Steven Spielberg and the Los Angeles Philharmonic join Williams on the Bowl stage. David Newman conducts the Philharmonic in the first half of the evening. Some selections performed with film clips. 8 p.m. $14-$195. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com.

SAT SEPT 1

BREAKFAST AND SHABBAT
Singing, dancing, meditation, learning and a light breakfast are served up when Lev Eisha, a community of women, convenes for Shabbat. The gathering opens with breakfast and learning with Rabbi Toba August. During the musical service that follows, Rabbi August and cantorial singer Cindy Paley are accompanied by percussionist Joy Krauthammer, Torah reader and vocalist Melanie Fine, violinist Ruth Belonsky and vocalists Robin Winston and Sharon Alexander. 8:15 a.m. Free. Beth Shir Shalom, 1827 California Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 453-3361.

SELICHOT AROUND TOWN
Adat Ari El: The Valley Village-based Conservative synagogue’s prologue to the High Holy Days features a Jewish Women’s Theatre performance about what it means to forgive and what happens if forgiveness is not possible. 8–11 p.m. Free. 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 766-9426.
Congregation Kol Ami: Actor and playwright Tom Dugan performs excerpts from his one-man show, “Wiesenthal,” which explores themes of guilt, justice and our role in carrying on Wiesenthal’s mission. 6 p.m. Free. 1200 N. La Brea Ave., West Hollywood. (323) 606-0996.
Open Temple: “The Schvitz” is held in partnership with Pico Union Project at Wi Spa. RSVP to info@opentemple.org so organizers know to wait for you in the lobby. 9 p.m. $25 spa entrance fee. Wi Spa, 2700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 821-1414.
Temple Ahavat Shalom: Bring your own dinner and enjoy Woody Allen’s “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” with a brief discussion after the movie screening. 5:30 p.m. movie and dinner. 8 p.m. service. Free. 18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge. (818) 360-2258.
Temple Judea: Husband-and-wife “dynamic duo” Isaac and Rabbi Shawna Brynjegard-Bialik bring their “pop culture Torah” to Temple Judea in a visual program about redemption, atonement and the path to forgiveness. 8 p.m. Free. 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. (818) 758-3800.

SUN SEPT 2

CHABAD TELETHON
Chabad’s “To Life” Telethon, a nationally televised annual event, continues its mission to raise funds for Chabad’s many activities. Now in its 38th year, the telethon will feature Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin and local leaders. 5–11 p.m. Go to to life.com for channel information.

ROSH HASHANAH STORY TIME
The joys of the Jewish New Year play out during Rosh Hashanah Storytime and Apple Art Activities at the Zimmer Children’s Museum by ShareWell. Kids learn about the tradition of apples and honey and engage in painting activities. 2-4 p.m. Museum admission $7.50 adults and children 1-17. Children younger than 1 free. Zimmer Children’s Museum, 6505 Wilshire Blvd. (323) 761-8984.

SURFING, SAND, JUDAISM
“What is your sababa level?” Teens and tweens will be asked this question when the two-day Sababa Surf Camp opens in Malibu with an agenda that blends surfing lessons and Jewish spirituality. Sababa is Hebrew for “cool;” and if your sababa level is one that is kosher, 10 means you are too stressed. The four-year-old New York-based camp, in Los Angeles for the second year, is focused on learning for boys and girls from grades 5 through 12. Lessons in Jewish meditation are intertwined with surfing instructions and fun beach games. Through Sept. 3. $75 per day. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Malibu Makos Surf Club, 30600 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Pick up is 3:30 p.m. (310) 317-1229.

TUE SEPT 4

DEPRESSION AND JEWISH VALUES
Cardiologist Afshine Emrani traces his personal journey of healing depression through Jewish values when he speaks to the Sinai Temple Men’s Club. Dinner provided. 6:30-–9 p.m. Free dinner for men’s club members. $10 general. Women welcome. Sinai Temple, Ziegler Hall, 10400 Wilshire Blvd. (310) 481-3340.

MEGA CHALLAH BAKE
Join women from the South Bay for an evening of kneading, braiding and community. In addition to baking challahs for their families, participants are encouraged to bake challah for a friend or for delivery to a senior citizen in the South Bay. 7 p.m. $18. Reservation required. Chabad of Palos Verdes, 28041 S. Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes. (310) 544-5544.

JEWISH BAR ASSOCIATION MIXER
Welcome the High Holy Days by getting together with like-minded attorneys. The Los Angeles Jewish Bar Association’s Rosh Hashanah 2018 Mixer is an evening of socializing and renewing or establishing important contacts. 6–9 p.m. Free for attorneys and law students. $36 for non-attorneys. SIXTY Beverly Hills Hotel, 9360 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 461-8350.

WED SEPT 5

HIGH HOLY DAYS PREP SESSION
Join author and Rabbi Mark Borovitz and Valley Beth Shalom Rabbi Ed Feinstein for “Pikuah Nevesh: Saving Your Soul,” a High Holy Days prep learning session. 7:30–9:30 p.m. Sher Lopaty I, Sher Lopaty II and Sher Lopaty Chapel, Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000.

“AFTER AUSCHWITZ”
The documentary film “After Auschwitz” follows six female Holocaust survivors who immigrate to the United States to try to move from tragedy and trauma to living a productive life. Screening to be followed by a Q-and-A with director Jon Kean and Renee Firestone, one of the survivors featured in the film. Presented by Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. 6:30 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. screening. $50 VIP, $36 per couple, $20 individual. Free underground parking. Museum of Tolerance, 9786 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 843-2690.

“WHY CAN’T WE GET ALONG?”
Orthodox Rabbi Shalom Hammer, a writer for the Jerusalem Post and an author of several books, addresses why the Orthodox rabbinate in Israel must encourage interdenominational dialogue. Why is the resistance to this concept wrong? Who is behind it? Hammer, a New Yorker by birth and an Israeli by choice, argues how differences in Judaism can be beneficial and how unity must be facilitated. 8–9:30 p.m. $10 donation suggested. RSVP requested at director@kehilla.org. Westwood Kehilla, 10523 Santa Monica Blvd. (310) 441-5288.

THU SEPT 6

KESHET @ 36
Keshet Chaim Dance Ensemble performs new works and a retrospective of company favorites. The ensemble is in its 36th year of entertaining audiences
around the world. Artistic Director Eytan Avisar and choreographer Kobi Rozenfeld utilize melody, rhythm and ethnic contemporary movement to infuse timeless themes of Jewish culture to bring their stories to the stage. This event to commemorate “double chai” will support Keshet’s community educational and outreach programs. 7:30 p.m. $25–$100. Gindi Auditorium, American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. (818) 784-0344.

What’s Happening: Selichot, Chabad Telethon, Spielberg Read More »

New Kids Books for the New Year

Leave a Comment / Books / Lisa Silverman

Ages 0-3

“My First Jewish Baby Book: From Afikomen to Zayde” by Julie Merberg. Illustrated by Beck Feiner. Downtown Bookworks.
This board book (available in October) is a cute first alphabet book for baby that covers the usual Jewish holidays and life cycle events and (Ashkenazi) cultural references such as bagels, brisket, borscht and Yiddishisms, including “F is for Fiddler on the Roof.” Although the terms “bubbe” and “zayde” are used, and they are depicted as being rather older than the typical grandparent buying this book, the bright illustrations are cleverly stylized by a recognized Australian graphic designer with quite a sense of humor.

Ages 4-8

“The World Needs Beautiful Things” by Leah Rachel Berkowitz. Illustrated by Daniele Fabbi. Kar-Ben Publishing.
Bezalel and the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. But young Bezalel had an eye for beauty and loved to collect pretty things like shiny stones and colored strings, and place them into his “Beautiful Things Box.” When it’s time to escape Egypt and wander through the desert, he takes along his precious box, saying, “The world needs beautiful things,” and he collects more along the way to Eretz Yisrael. One day, Moses tells the people that “God wants us to build a house of beautiful things” called a mishkan, a place for God to dwell. Bezalel is chosen to design the house of God because he understands how the earth can provide beautiful things, such as wood from desert trees, blossoms from prickly cactus and sparkly stones from rock. Eventually, Bezalel (whose name means “in God’s shadow”) is responsible for building the “biggest Beautiful Things Box ever” with the help of the other Israelites. This story is taken from the book of Exodus. It is enhanced by lovely full-color illustrations by a well-known Italian illustrator and animator.

“American Golem: The New World Adventures of an Old World Monster” by Marc Lumer. Apples & Honey Press.
Los Angeles-based writer and animator Marc Lumer has repositioned the medieval Golem legend into early 20th century America. A young Jewish immigrant to New York City is afraid of his strange and crowded new surroundings. He fashions a huge mud-golem for protection as his father did back in the old country, but here his golem isn’t needed in the same way. Kids will enjoy the spirited (and cuddly) golem and his superhero antics when he saves the day and helps a plucky greenhorn make some new friends.

“Write On, Irving Berlin!” by Leslie Kimmelman. Illustrated by David C. Gardner. Sleeping Bears Press.
It’s the 100th anniversary of the song “God Bless America,” and since today’s children probably don’t know who Irving Berlin was, it’s time they got a clue. The fun fonts and art design of this lively book will engage children, and the age-appropriate storyline follows the life of the composer until his death at age 101. It includes information about his Jewish heritage and his first exposure to music in a synagogue because his father was a cantor. Berlin became arguably the most renowned popular composer of his day and all proceeds from “God Bless America” still go to the Boy and Girl Scouts organization.

“Who’s Got the Etrog?” by Jane Kohuth. Illustrated by Elissambura. Kar-Ben Publishing.
This new picture book introduces children to the Ugandan Jewish community of the Abayudaya. The book says the community was started in the early 1900s by an African chief who led his people to reject Christianity and follow only the Torah. Children will enjoy following the antics of Ugandan animals who come to visit Antie Sanyu’s beautiful garden sukkah. Although Camel, Lion, Parrot and Giraffe behave themselves, Warthog gets a bit too obsessed with the sweet-smelling etrog and refuses to share. The delightful rhythm of the rhymes and the African-inspired artwork make this tale a perfect read-aloud in the sukkah or anywhere else.

Ages 8-12

“No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” by Kathleen Krull. Illustrated by Nancy Zhang. HarperCollins.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is getting a lot of attention in the children’s book world these days. (This is the third picture book biography of the Supreme Court justice published in the last two years.) Popular nonfiction author Kathleen Krull begins her engaging story of Ginsberg by calling her a “change-maker” and stating that she is a “fierce fighter for fairness and truth.” Krull begins by focusing on the influences young Ruth’s highly intelligent mother had on her, especially the indignities suffered by these unsung women who had few career
options other than being homemakers. When her mother dies the night before her high school graduation, Ruth becomes determined to go to college and law school to carry out her mother’s dream, despite the challenges that being female will bring. This thought-provoking book is longer and has a higher vocabulary than the two previous picture-book biographies about Ginsburg, and it includes a variety of historical and political events that students in grades 4-6 would find interesting. All in all, it’s a remarkable story about a true- life heroine.

“The Length of a String” by Elissa Brent Weissman, Dial Books.
Imani is Jewish, black and adopted. As she approaches her bat mitzvah, she decides to make the plunge to ask about her birth parents because she feels confused about her place in her all-white world. Instead, when her great-grandma Anna dies, Imani discovers an old, forgotten journal from when Anna was her age, escaping Nazi-occupied Luxembourg in 1941 and leaving her twin sister behind. The two likable 12-year-old narrators’ stories mirror each other and are interwoven seamlessly. Historical information about the perils of the war will engross middle-grade readers as Imani delves into research about her relatives and their fates. The “strings” of family unite us all, Imani learns, whether we are related by genetics or experience. This is an absorbing story about identity, with an unexpected and satisfying ending.

Ages 12-18

“Meet Me at the Well: The Girls and Women of the Bible” by Jane Yolen and Barbara Diamond Goldin. Illustrated by Vali Mintzi. Charlesbridge.
Master children’s storytellers take on the stories of the heroic women of the Jewish Bible who are so often portrayed as minor players in the more important tales about men. Individual chapters include profiles of 14 women, from Eve to Esther, with each story accompanied by attractive artwork. In these more feminist retellings, biblical culture relating to rules of marriage and motherhood is explored, along with answers to modern questions young readers may have, such as, “Why are there two stories of creation?” Or “How do other religions respond to the binding of Isaac?” This useful and well-researched collection not only would make an appropriate bat mitzvah gift, it would serve as an important entryway into popular Bible stories for serious-minded modern readers due to its focus on capable and spirited women.

“Claiming My Place: Coming of Age in the Shadow of the Holocaust” by Planaria Price with Helen Reichmann West. Farrar, Strauss and Giroux.
Here is a true and gripping story of survival during World War II that is appropriate for pre-teens and teens, particularly due to the beginning focus on Barbara Reichmann’s early life growing up in pre-war Poland. Barbara’s (nee Gucia Gomolinksa) story is told in first person by author Planaria Price, who met Barbara and her daughter Helen and felt compelled to write the biography of this determined woman. Helen writes the afterword, which tells of her mother’s life after her 1951 immigration to America with the help of HIAS. Other Holocaust memoirs (particularly for adult readers, such as “The Nazi Officer’s Wife”) have explored the choices that young, blond-haired Jewish women made to change their identities and blend into European society as gentiles, but this one is particularly engrossing. We follow Barbara from her youthful days to life in the ghetto, then her escape through various European countries and finally to America. Readers will be drawn to the well-told narrative of friendships, romances, luck and tragedy — all strengthened by the defiant spirit of Barbara’s life story.

All ages

“All the World Praises You!: An Illuminated Aleph-Bet Book” by Debra Band. With new translations by Arnold J. Band.
Artist Debra Band collaborates with her father, retired UCLA professor of Hebrew literature Arnold Band, on their first children’s book, but it’s actually a book suitable for all ages. Subtitled “An Illuminated Aleph-Bet Book,” it can serve as an alphabet book for learning Hebrew letters, or an art book, as readers admire the paintings accompanying each letter and the biblical verses quoted on each page. For example, the letter “shin” stands for “shvil hehalav” (the Milky Way), and is illustrated with a quote from Psalms that includes, “Lord, my God, You are very great; You are clothed in glory and majesty, wrapped in light like a robe, You spread the heavens like a tent.” Explanations of why the artist chose particular quotes and subjects are included in the final pages. Debra Band calls this process “visual midrash” and draws upon rabbinics, modern Bible studies, archeology and science to “convey Jewish thought and values in a joyful, non-didactic way to our entire Jewish (indeed, Judeo-Christian) community.”

Lisa Silverman is the director of the Burton Sperber Jewish Community Library located at American Jewish University.

New Kids Books for the New Year Read More »

Israeli Graffiti Artists, Survivor’s Bar Mitzvah

Leave a Comment / Moving & Shaking / Ryan Torok

At the end of July and in early August, Israeli graffiti artists Dede Bandaid and Nitzan Mintz (shown in image to the left) were in Los Angeles for an art project. During their visit, the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles contacted the office of L.A. City Councilman David Ryu to collaborate with his Utility Box Program, an initiative announced in November 2017 that beautifies L.A. neighborhoods while supporting local artists.

“This program sponsors local artists up to $250 in discretionary funding to turn blank utility boxes into stunning works of public art,” states a description of the program on Ryu’s council website.

Primarily local artists participate. This was the first time international artists took part in this project, according to the Israeli consulate.

The utility boxes are located at the intersections of Vermont and Franklin avenues and Hillhurst and Franklin avenues in Los Feliz.

Mintz, who specializes in street poetry, designed a box featuring the words, “Try to levitate over this city / Everything is light as a feather.”

Bandaid’s boxes feature depictions of his signature Band-Aids. The artist is based in Tel Aviv and describes himself as an “urban narrative artist, who utilizes various mediums to communicate within the public arena.”

Holocaust survivor Bob Geminder had a second bar mitzvah ceremony, which was held on Aug. 18 at Congregation Ner Tamid in Rancho Palos Verdes.

“I am 83 and I live life to the fullest,” Geminder said in an email to the Journal. “After my past experiences, I feel like I need to have a ‘happy childhood’ now.”

About 200 people attended the simcha, including friends and family from all over the country.

Geminder, who is from Bielsko, Poland, did not have a bar mitzvah at the age of 13 because it was just three years after the end of the Shoah and he was focused on learning English and starting school. His first year in school was in the seventh grade in Pittsburgh. His first bar mitzvah was with his daughter when he was 41.

Ner Tamid Rabbi Brian Schuldenfrei officiated the ceremony, which drew Geminder’s childhood friends; his children; the leadership from the March of the Living, which Geminder goes on every year; Holocaust survivors from several different countries; a Yad Vashem representative; and docents from the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust.

Front row, from center: StandWithUs (SWU) Hispanic Fellow Marcos Carrillo and SWU Southwest Campus Coordinator Charline Delkhah. Back row, from left: Adam Meleo; SWU Hispanic Outreach Coordinator Sebastian Parra; Maayan Bahalul; Ariel Berdugo and Sarah Eizner. Photo courtesy of StandWithUs.

Coinciding with the start of the 2018-19 school year, pro-Israel education organization StandWithUs (SWU) has hired new staff members and selected its high school interns and college Emerson Fellows.

The new members are Southwest High School Coordinator Kate Chavez and Southwest Campus Coordinator Charline Delkhah.

The interns are Nicole Bardi of Milken Community High School, Danielle York of Palisades Charter High School, Yael Gluck of YULA Girls High School, Gabby Grunfeld of Shalhevet High School, Rachel Pistol of Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, Danielle Efrat of Santa Susana High School and Melina Feradouni of Taft Charter High School.

The Emerson Fellows are Maayan Bahalul of USC, Ariel Berdugo of UC Irvine, Sarah Eizner of UC Santa Barbara, Noa Grunfeld of Cal State Long Beach, David Kaziyez of UC Riverside, Naomi Kisel of UCLA and Adam Meleo of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Azusa Pacific University’s Marcos Carrillo is the Hispanic Fellow.

The organization’s high school and college programs each select and train about 90 students from 90 North American schools to educate their peers about Israel and respond to anti-Israel rhetoric. The Emerson Fellowship was founded in 2007 by philanthropists Rita and Steve Emerson of Los Angeles.

During recent conferences, the Emerson Fellows and high school interns learned leadership skills; participated in sessions on countering boycott, divestment and sanctions campaigns; practiced how to run effective programs and form coalitions with other groups, and how to utilize SWU’s resources, including the legal department and social media. They also received a Middle East update and learned how to determine when legitimate criticism of Israel crosses the line into anti-Semitism.

From left: Shalom Institute (SI) President Gil Breakman; SI Board Member Dr. Clive Segil; philanthropist Lisa Friedman and SI Executive Director Bill Kaplan. Photo by Marsha Katz Rothpan

The Shalom Institute on Aug. 19 held its Apples N’ Honey Celebration with 130 of Shalom Institute’s supporters and friends.

During the event, the organization celebrated five years of Shemesh Enterprises, which serves young people with special needs, and dedicated its new Bee and Pollinator Education Center. The institute also honored supporters of these initiatives.

“It’s a perfect space for infusing Jewish values into teaching experiential environmental education using bees and their huge function in the world’s ecosystem as a touchstone,” said Lisa Friedman, a supporter of the Bee and Pollinator Education Center.

Other attendees at the gathering included Larraine and Dr. Clive Segil; Lew Groner, vice president of marketing and communications at the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles; and Marisa Kaplan, senior vice president of Caring for Jews in Need at The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.

Sinai Temple President Angela Maddahi. Photo courtesy of Sinai Temple

Sinai Temple in Westwood held a musical Sephardic-style Shabbat service followed by dinner and the installation of its 2018-19 board of directors on Aug. 17.

Chaired by Sinai Temple Vice President of Membership Mehrzad Roshan, the event was attended by more than 120 temple members.

Max Webb Senior Rabbi David Wolpe installed incoming temple board members and officers. The new 2018-19 board members are Michael Arnall, Robert Galperson, Raquel Harris, Janet Rosenblum and Mitra Simanian. Temple

President Angela Maddahi also accepted her second year of leadership and spoke about her passion for the community and her goal to make it an even more inviting and inclusive place. She also announced Sinai Temple’s inaugural annual report, which outlined the achievements of the community in 2017-18.

The evening concluded with a Sephardic-style musical performance by the Asher Levy Trio.

Want to be in Movers & Shakers? Send us your highlights, events, honors and simchas. Email ryant@jewishjournal.com

Israeli Graffiti Artists, Survivor’s Bar Mitzvah Read More »

Local Iranian Jews React to Arrest of Alleged Iranian Spies

Leave a Comment / Community / Karmel Melamed

Two alleged agents of the Iranian government were charged on Aug. 20 in federal court for conducting covert surveillance of Jewish facilities and Israeli institutions in the United States. Now, Los Angeles-area Iranian Jewish activists and leaders say they are concerned for their community’s safety.

According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., Ahmadreza Doostdar, 38, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen born in Long Beach, and Majid Ghorbani, 59, of Costa Mesa, were charged with allegedly conducting surveillance in July 2017 at a Chabad House in Chicago and at a Jewish student center at the University of Chicago.

The complaint also states that in late 2017, Doostdar returned to the United States from Iran and met with Ghorbani in the Los Angeles area to give him $2,000 in cash for taking pictures of Iranian government opposition activists living in the U.S.

“Our community was not surprised by the news of the [arrests] because we’ve long believed the regime has sent its people here to conduct various nefarious activities,” Susan Azizzadeh, president of the West Hollywood-based Iranian American Jewish Federation, told the Journal. “We are no doubt concerned for our safety, but grateful to our law enforcement for stopping these agents of the regime before they could do any real harm.”

Even after fleeing Iran nearly 40 years ago, local Iranian Jewish leaders believe the Iranian government still targets their community in the U.S. and seeks to harm both Jewish and non-Jewish communities in America.

“These arrests are a stark reminder of the threat that the Iranian regime poses, not just to its people and its neighbors, but to American citizens,” said Sam Yebri, president of 30 Years After, a local Iranian Jewish nonprofit group.

Frank Nikbakht, an Iranian Jewish activist who heads the L.A.-area Committee for Minority Rights in Iran, said the alleged spies are likely part of a larger network of agents Iran has sent to the U.S. during the last 20 years to carry out potential terrorist strikes.

“The Iranian regime has always been preparing for the day when they are cornered like a hissing cat, when they will release their sleeper cells in America,” Nikbakht said. “Jewish and opposition symbols are considered soft targets, while anti-Jewish attacks will send strong messages to Israel.”

He added that Iran’s leaders are always more than willing to order terrorist strikes in the U.S. and against Jewish targets because Iran has a long and bloody history of successfully assassinating Iranian opposition leaders in Europe, bombing U.S. targets worldwide, and bombing Jewish and Israeli sites in Argentina during the 1990s.

“All Iranian expatriates, including opposition groups, anti-Iranian regime Muslims and Jews must drop their lax attitudes and their indifference to the presence of pro-regime elements among their communities,” Nikbakht said.

Local Iranian Jews were already on edge before these arrests. Last July, Farsi-language fliers were left by an unknown source throughout Westwood’s Persian Square district announcing the inception of a group calling itself the “Army of Hezbollah in America.” Los Angles-area Iranian Jews also have been vocal in their efforts to expose anti-Semitic entertainers visiting from Iran. Last December, nearly 50 Iranian Jewish protesters marched outside downtown L.A.’s Microsoft Theater against Iranian singer Mohsen Yeganeh. In 2015, various community activists also launched a campaign against Akbar Abdi’s shows in California. Abdi is an Iranian Muslim comedian who had used derogatory terms to describe Jews.

Several local non-Jewish Iranian activists who oppose the Iranian government said they have long warned local authorities about threats from individuals sent by Iran.

“For the last two decades, many agents of the Iranian regime have been openly operating here in Los Angeles, successfully hiding among the larger Iranian-American community, which hates the current regime,” said Roozbeh Farahanipour, co-founder of the Marze Por Gohar group based in Westwood, which opposes the current Iranian leadership.

Farahanipour believes that when his car tires were slashed on several occasions in 2003, it was done by agents of the Iranian government. He said he has reported incidents to the Los Angeles Police Department regarding possible Iranian agents openly threatening him. He also told the Journal he’s seen people associated with the Iranian leadership openly harassing people in Westwood Village for drinking alcohol, and hassling Iranian women for not covering their hair or for wearing “sexy clothing” in public.

In 2000, 2004 and 2008, Farahanipour and members of his group also called on local law enforcement to shut down voting stations in Los Angeles they said were being illegally operated and set up by agents of the Iranian government so local Iranians could vote in Iran’s presidential elections.

“Our experience and knowledge of the Iranian political scene and the anti-Semitic nature of the regime has to be shared with the authorities,” said George Haroonian, a former board member of the Iranian Nessah synagogue in Beverly Hiills. “In this age of political correctness, it is our duty as loyal American citizens to clarify the issues for the law enforcement authorities.”

Local Iranian Jews React to Arrest of Alleged Iranian Spies Read More »

Behind the Rise of Modest Fashion

Leave a Comment / Community / Kylie Ora Lobell

Joyce Azria grew up around fashion. As the daughter of BCBG’s Max Azria, she learned about the industry from a young age and joined her father’s company when she was only 16 years old.

Today, the ba’al teshuvah (someone who became religious after living a secular life), who lives in an Orthodox Jewish area of Los Angeles, is selling modest clothes for women under a brand called WUKOgals.

Three Orthodox Jewish sisters, Chani Wuensch, Elana Kornfeld and Sara Mayberg, established the company in 2014, and now Azria, a longtime fan, is collaborating with them.

“When I became more observant, I had to change the way I was dressing and it was always a struggle for me,” Azria, 36, said in a telephone interview with the Journal. “I Googled ‘modest fashion,’ found WUKOgals and just fell in love, as a lot of customers do. I would buy their new arrivals. It was an exciting brand I could always go to.”

Sold at a Los Angeles pop-up shop at 217 S. La Brea Ave., as well as online at WUKOgals.com, the clothes are hip and casual, and cover women’s knees, elbows and collarbones, per Orthodox Jewish modesty standards.

Azria said she knew she wanted to work with the three sisters as soon as they met. Although she’s not designing clothes for them yet, she plans to start this fall, with a “vegan leather” jacket, new bohemian dresses and more prints.

“There isn’t an abundance of modest brands, whether you’re a teen or preteen, all the way up to whatever age,” Azria said. “A modest look transcends age. If you’ve seen any modest celebrity, there is [a] timelessness about [them]. Whether you’re 16 or 60, a lot of styles are shared and create that ‘beauty that transcends time’ look.”

WUKOgals is not Azria’s first foray into a fashion line. She sells basics for under $50 through her line Rohb, which is distributed through Amazon, and she owns Avec Les Filles, a millennial fashion brand with a French influence.

As a child, Azria grew up in Paris and Los Feliz. Her father, Max, is Sephardic, and her mother is a Russian Jew. Although they weren’t particularly religious, they never missed celebrating Friday night dinner together, sometimes with 100 guests at their table. “My dad would travel literally around the world and sure enough, he was always around on Friday night to make kiddush,” she said. “It was our bookend. We’d all go out and do our journeys and at the end of the week, we’d come back and share with our family.”

In her late 20s, when she was going through some personal struggles, Azria sought the help of therapists. When she didn’t find the answers she was looking for, a friend advised her to also see a rabbi. “I fell in love with Judaism and the values and the way they view women,” Azria said.

After becoming religious, Azria remarried and today, has six children. “My little girls are already doing the typical girl shenanigans of, ‘I want to wear this and I don’t want to wear this,’ but we’ll see,” she said.

Although mainstream fashion isn’t exactly friendly to the observant Jewish lifestyle and look, Azria has found a way, through WUKOgals and her other lines, to make it work.

“I love growing and I think that’s a big theme in Judaism and fashion,” she said. “Fashion comes from evolving and growing, whether you’re growing a fashion brand or raising a child. It’s all the same, this desire to make the world a better place. It’s artistic and intuitive and an emotional product. It’s an evolution. I love that in my personal life and in fashion. It’s a constant rebirth.”

Behind the Rise of Modest Fashion Read More »

High Holy Days Services Calendar 5779

Leave a Comment / Holidays / Ryan Torok, Staff Writer and Ari L. Noonan Contributing Writer

Sept. 9 Erev Rosh Hashanah
Sept. 10 Rosh Hashanah
Sept. 11 Second Day Rosh Hashanah
Sept. 18 Kol Nidre
Sept. 19 Yom Kippur

Debating where to go for the High Holy Days? We got you covered. Here’s a list of services happening at more than 60 synagogues across L.A. and Ventura Counties. By no means complete, but hey, we tried.

Whether you go traditional or alternative, we hope to see you in the pews. L’Shanah tovah!

SAN FERNANDO AND CONEJO VALLEYS

ADAT ARI EL
The Conservative congregation holds Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services at various times and at various locations at Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. General public purchase tickets by calling (818) 766-9426.

BEIT HAMIDRASH OF WOODLAND HILLS
Ashkenazic, Sephardic and Yemenite services feature guest Rabbi Shalom Hammer from Israel and Rabbi Shmuel Kessin. Erev Rosh Hashanah 6:30 p.m., Rosh Hashanah Day and
Second Day 8 a.m., Mincha 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre 6:15 p.m., Yom Kippur 8:30 a.m. 5850 Fallbrook Ave., Woodland Hills. Call ahead for reservations. Ashkenazi: (818) 999-2059, Sephardic: (818) 610-7683, Yemenite: (818) 601-7100.

CONGREGATION BETH OHR
Independent spiritual and cultural community combines tradition, spirit, new thought and music. Erev Rosh Hashanah 8 p.m., Rosh Hashanah Day 10 a.m., Kol Nidre 8 p.m., Yom Kippur 10 a.m., Yizkor 12:30 p.m., community discussion follows afternoon break. Closing service 4 p.m. Light break-fast follows. 12355 Moorpark St., Studio City. (818) 773-3663.

CONGREGATION OR AMI
Musical services led by Rabbis Paul Kipnes and Julia Weisz and Cantor Doug Cotler. Various times. Evening and morning services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur require tickets for each worshipper. Family services in the afternoon, Tashlich and Neilah services don’t require tickets. $290 seniors 63 and older; $280 grades 4-12; $20 grades pre-K-third grade. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Fred Kavli Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Yom Kippur Family Service and Neilah at Congregation Or Ami, 26115 Mureau Road, Ste. B, Calabasas. (818) 880-4880.

KOL TIKVAH
Erev Rosh Hashanah youth and family service 5 p.m. Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah day 9:30 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Tot service 1:30 p.m.; Rosh Hashanah second-day outdoor hike 10 a.m. Yom Kippur youth and family service 4:30 p.m.; Kol Nidre 7 p.m.; Yom Kippur morning service 9 a.m. Yom Kippur Tot service 1:30 p.m. Yizkor/Neilah 5:15 p.m. $325 ages 23-69. $200 for all others. All services held at Kol Tikvah except outdoor hike. Kol Tikvah, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 348-0670.

LEO BAECK TEMPLE
Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day service and Yom Kippur service tailored to families with elementary school children 9:30 a.m. Kol Nidre 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur service for the entire community 2 p.m. $250 children of current members ages 26-29, $300 general guests. Leo Baeck Temple, 1300 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 476-2861.

MALIBU JEWISH CENTER AND SYNAGOGUE
The Reconstructionist synagogue holds services led by Rabbi Michael Schwartz and Cantor Marcelo Gindlin. Featuring the MJCS Choir and chamber orchestra. Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Kol Nidre 7 p.m. Yom Kippur 9:30 a.m-7:15 p.m. General public purchase tickets by calling (310) 456-2178. Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue, 24855 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu.

SHAAREY ZEDEK
The Orthodox congregation holds three simultaneous minyans for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Various times. $385 includes all services. Shaarey Zedek, 12800 Chandler Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 763-0560.

SHOMREI TORAH SYNAGOGUE
Erev Rosh Hashanah Apples and Honey Service for preschool through second-grade families 5-5:45 p.m. Shira service for adults and children elementary age and older 6-7 p.m. Traditional ma’ariv 8-8:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day service 8:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Children’s Rosh Hashanah 9 a.m.-1:15 p.m. USY-led service for teens and tweens 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Kol Nidre, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Children’s Kol Nidre Experience 6:30-8:30 p.m. Yom Kippur 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Children’s Yom Kippur 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Teens and Tweens 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Neilah 5:45-7:30 p.m. $250 for general public. Shomrei Torah Synagogue, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. (818) 854-7650.

STEPHEN WISE TEMPLE
The Reform congregation’s Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services are held at Stephen Wise Temple, Skirball Cultural Center and the Bel Air Church and include an all-community erev Rosh Hashanah service in the Stephen Wise Temple sanctuary. 8 p.m. Check Stephen Wise Temple website for information on other services. All-service passes $390 adult, $240 senior 65 and older, $160 youth (ages 10-26). No ticket required for Rosh Hashanah Second Day service. Stephen Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 476-8561, highholydays@wisela.org.

SYNAGOGUE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The city’s original entertainment industry synagogue holds High Holy Days conducted by Joseph Telushkin and Cantor Judy Fox. Individual service tickets $125 each. Full set of tickets to all services $500 each. Second Day Rosh Hashanah free. Sportsmen’s Lodge, 12833 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. (310) 472-3500.

TEMPLE AHAVAT SHALOM
The Northridge Reform community’s main service features contemporary readings, music and reflections, its family service is geared toward families with children in grades 3-7 and its Bim Bam services are for infants and children up to 7. Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:45 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 8:45 a.m. family service, 10:30 a.m. main service, Bim Bam Service 11 a.m. Kol Nidre 7:45 p.m. Yom Kippur 8:45 a.m. family service, 10:30 a.m. main service, 11 a.m. Bim Bam Service. Yom Kippur Afternoon 3:15 p.m. Yizkor 4:30 p.m. Neilah 5:15 p.m. General $300; Seniors 67 and older, students $160. Temple Ahavat Shalom, 18200 Rinaldi Place Spirit, Northridge. (818) 360-2258.

TEMPLE B’NAI HAYIM
Erev Rosh Hashanah with the Conservative congregation in Sherman Oaks begins at 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 9 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 9 a.m. Kol Nidre 6:15 p.m. Yom Kippur Day 9 a.m. Neilah 6:15 p.m. $300 for general. Temple B’nai Hayim, 4302 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 788-4664.

TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM
The Conservative congregation in Thousand Oaks holds services and educational children’s programming. Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day, Rosh Hashanah Second Day 9 a.m. Kol Nidre 7:30 p.m. Yom Kippur morning service 9 a.m. Yizkor 4:15 p.m. Mincha 5 p.m. Neilah 7 p.m. Children participate in Neilah carrying light sticks into the main sanctuary. Guest admission $250. Temple Etz Chaim, 1080 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. (805) 497-6891.

TEMPLE NER SIMCHA
Free High Holy Day services with the Agoura-based community, which blends Reform and Conservative Judaism. Reserve tickets early. Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 9 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 9 a.m. Kol Nidre 7:30 p.m. Yom Kippur 9 a.m. All services held at Canyon Club, with the exception of tashlich, which is held at the Westlake Village Inn. Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills. (818) 851-0030.

TEMPLE JUDEA
The Tarzana synagogue’s services for families with children of all ages are open to the general public. Traditional machzor, song-leader and guitar for high-energy experience. Rosh Hashanah Day 9 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day, open to the entire community, 10 a.m. Kol Nidre 7 p.m. Yom Kippur Day 9 a.m., 12:15 p.m. $300. Temple Judea, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. (818) 758-3800.

TEMPLE SINAI OF GLENDALE
Led by Rabbi Rick Schechter and Cantor Steven Hummel, Temple Sinai of Glendale services are for adults, teens, children and families. Erev Rosh Hashanah 8 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 10 a.m., family service 3 p.m. Kol Nidre 8 p.m., Yom Kippur morning service 10 a.m., afternoon service 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m. Yizkor, 6 p.m. Neilah. $300 for all services. Free tickets available for active military, college students and visiting members of other congregations. Temple Sinai of Glendale, 1212 N. Pacific Ave., Glendale. (818) 246-8101.

VALLEY BETH SHALOM
Main services feature traditional and contemporary prayers and melodies led by VBS clergy, accompanied by piano and members of the VBS congregational choir. Sephardic service features traditional Sephardic melodies led by Sephardic cantors. Erev Rosh Hashanah first service 6 p.m., second service 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day main services 7:45 a.m., 1:15 p.m. Sephardic service 8:30 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day main service 7:45 a.m., Sephardic service 8:30 a.m. Kol Nidre Main service 6 p.m., 8:45 p.m. Sephardic service 6:30 p.m. Yom Kippur Main service 7:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m. Sephardic service 8:30 a.m. Yom Kippur evening service free and open to the community. Bring your own shofar and participate in the final T’kiyah G’dolah. 5 p.m. Mincha. 6:15 p.m. Neilah 7:30 p.m. final sounding of the shofar. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. For ticket information, call (818) 788-6000.

VALLEY OUTREACH SYNAGOGUE
The interdenominational congregation holds musical High Holy Days services led by Rabbi Ron Li-Paz and chaplain Jennifer Nye. Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m., Rosh Hashanah Day 10 p.m., children’s programs 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Teen Lounge 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Kol Nidre 7:30 p.m., Yom Kippur morning service 10 a.m., Children’s programs 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Teen Lounge 1 p.m. $225. The Shepherd Church, 19700 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch. Yom Kippur afternoon services at 3:30 p.m., Valley Outreach Synagogue, 26668 Agoura Road, Calabasas. Yizkor 5 p.m. Free. (818) 882-4867.

WEST HOLLYWOOD/HOLLYWOOD AND EASTSIDE

BAIS NAFTOLI
The Orthodox congregation on La Brea holds free High Holy Days services for the community. Rosh Hashanah both days 8:30 a.m. Kol Nidre 6:30 p.m. Yom Kippur morning service 8:30 a.m. Neilah 6:00 p.m. Bais Naftoli, 221 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 931-2476.

BETH SHIRAH CONGREGATION
Led by Cantor Estherleon Schwartz. Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m., Rosh Hashanah Day 10 a.m., Kol Nidre 7:30 p.m., Yom Kippur 10:30 a.m. Free. Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave., Hollywood. (323) 653-7420.

CONGREGATION KOL AMI
Rabbis Denise Eger and Max Chaiken and Cantor Patti Linsky conduct services for the West Hollywood LGBT community. Erev Rosh Hashanah 8 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 10 a.m., children’s service 10:30 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 10 a.m. Kol Nidre 8 p.m. Yom Kippur morning service 10 a.m. Afternoon healing/Neilah 3:30 p.m. $200 includes all services. Single-service tickets available. All services held at Harmony Gold Theater, 7655 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, except for Rosh Hashanah Second Day held at Congregation Kol Ami, 1200 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 606-0997.

HOLLYWOOD TEMPLE BETH EL
Hollywood Temple Beth El invites all who are hungry for spirituality and community to attend participatory services led by Rabbi Dr. Norbert Weinberg, Rabbi Steven Rosenberg and Hazzan Stacey Morse. Erev Rosh Hashanah 7 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 9 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 9 a.m. Kol Nidre 7 p.m. Yom Kippur 9 a.m. $100 general admission. Free for active military, first responders. Hollywood Temple Beth El, 1317 N. Crescent Blvd., West Hollywood. Reserve your seat by calling (323) 656-3150, emailing temple@htbel.org

MOVABLE MINYAN
Movable Minyan’s congregant-led High Holy Days services integrate interpretative, spiritual and educational ideas. Highlights include song and study sessions for children and adults. Erev Rosh Hashanah 8-9:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day and Second Day 9:30 a.m-1:30 p.m. Kol Nidre 6:15-8:15 p.m. Yom Kippur 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. All services $200 for an adult, $60 for one day. Institute of Jewish Education, 8339 W. Third St., Los Angeles. (310) 285-3317.

NASHUVA
Led by Rabbi Naomi Levy. Erev Rosh Hashanah 6:45 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 9:30 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 8:30 a.m. Kol Nidre 6:30 p.m. Yom Kippur 9:30 a.m. $350 suggested donation. All services held at Founder’s Church of Religious Science, 3281 W. Sixth St., Los Angeles, except for tashlich on Monday at 6 p.m. at Venice Beach, Rosh Hashanah Second Day at Temescal Canyon and Neilah at Brentwood Presbyterian Church, 12000 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles. Kol Nidre Live, presented by Nashuva and the Jewish Journal, streams free at 6:30 p.m.

SANCTUARY@PICO UNION
Artists, musicians and teachers Craig Taubman, Rabbi Tova Leibovic-Douglas, Stuart Robinson and Shany Zamir lead the alternative community’s fourth annual deep dive into the High Holy Days. Rosh Hashanah Day 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch follows. Kol Nidre 8-9:30 p.m. Yom Kippur Day 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Neila 6 p.m. at the Open Temple, Venice Beach. $275, all-service pass; $125, good for one High Holy Day experience; $200, good for two services. Pico Union Project, 1153 Valencia St., Los Angeles. (213) 915-0084.

TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL
The Highland Park and Eagle Rock congregation holds services at its historic synagogue. Erev Rosh Hashanah 7 p.m., Rosh Hashanah Day 9 a.m., Rosh Hashanah family service 2-3 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 9 a.m. Kol Nidre 7 p.m. Yom Kippur morning 9 a.m. Yizkor noon. Yom Kippur family service 2-3 p.m. Mincha and Neilah 5:30 p.m. Break-the-fast potluck 7:30 p.m. $250 per adult gets entry to all services. Family services: $36 per family per service. No one will be turned away. Email shul President Josh Kaufman at joshtbila@gmail.com to discuss payment. 5711 Monte Vista St., Los Angeles. (323) 745-2472.

TEMPLE ISRAEL OF HOLLYWOOD
Erev Rosh Hashanah and Kol Nidre services led by Rabbis John Rosove, Michelle Missaghieh and Jocee Hudson and Cantorial Soloist and Music Director Shelly Fox, a 12-voice choir and pianist Michael Alfera. K-6^th grade family Kol Nidre Service led by Rabbi Jocee Hudson. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur morning services in the sanctuary. For times, visit the Temple Israel of Hollywood website. $350. Temple Israel of Hollywood, 7300 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 876-8330.

WESTSIDE

ADAT SHALOM
The Conservative congregation holds erev Rosh Hashanah services at 7 p.m., Rosh Hashanah Day 9 a.m., Rosh Hashanah Second Day 9 a.m., Kol Nidre 6:30 p.m., Yom Kippur 9 a.m. $400 for adults, includes all services. Full-time students free. Adat Shalom, 3030 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 475-4985.

AISH HATORAH
For information on user-friendly beginner services for Erev Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur call (310) 278-8672. 9100 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles.

COMMUNITY SHUL
For information on traditional Ashkenazi services for Erev Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur call (424) 354-4130. 9100 W. Pico Blvd.

BEVERLY HILLS JEWISH COMMUNITY
Traditional choral services, led by Rabbi Yossi Cunin and Cantor Levi Coleman. $900 for adults, $75 for children ages 3-13. Sephardic/Moroccan services led by Rabbi Avshalom Even-Haim and Cantor Yossi Avitbol. $150 for adults, $100 for Young Professionals 18-31 and $75 for children 3-17. Call (310) 276-4246 for times. The Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills.

BEIT T’SHUVAH
At the Venice Boulevard synagogue, the message is “Leave behind your old notions of High Holidays as mandatory and monotonous. At Congregation Beit T’Shuvah, the No. 1 concern is uplifting your soul.” Erev Rosh Hashanah 7 p.m., Rosh Hashanah Day 9 a.m., Rosh Hashanah Second Day 9 a.m., Kol Nidre 7 p.m., Yom Kippur 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Individual tickets $75 per service. $375 for all services. Tashlich at Venice Pier free. Beit T’Shuvah, 8831 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles. No parking at Beit T’Shuvah. Uber and Lyft suggested. Shuttle from Shenandoah Street Elementary. (310) 204-5200, ext. 255.

BETH JACOB CONGREGATION
Rabbi Kalman Topp, Chazzan Arik Wollheim and the Maccabeats lead services in Beth Jacob’s Shapell Sanctuary. Erev Rosh Hashanah Services 6:45 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day Services 7:45 a.m., 6:45 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 7:45 a.m. Kol Nidre 6:30 p.m. Yom Kippur 8:30 a.m., 4:45 p.m. $650. Explanatory Minyan promises to be a great start to a new year. No Hebrew skills necessary, Rosh Hashanah Day and Second Day, 9 a.m. 11 a.m. Pomtinis, fresh fruit bar and shofar. Kol Nidre 6:45 p.m. Yom Kippur 9 a.m., Yizkor 11 a.m. $150. 9030 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills. For additional services contact the synagogue at (310) 278-1911.

BETH CHAYIM CHADASHIM
Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:15 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 9:30 a.m. Catered luncheon, 12:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 10 a.m. Kol Nidre 7:15 p.m. Yom Kippur 9:30 a.m. Yizkor 5:30 p.m. Neilah 6:20 p.m. Community break-fast 7:30 p.m. Guest tickets $310 for all services, $250 for full-time students (includes one-year membership), single services, $140. The second day of Rosh Hashanah is free. Services held at Temple Isaiah, 10345 W. Pico Blvd., except for Rosh Hashanah Second Day, held at BCC. 6090 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 931-7023, ext. 205.

B’NAI DAVID-JUDEA
The modern Orthodox congregation holds Erev Rosh Hashanah at 6:50 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 6:45 a.m., 6:50 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 7 a.m., 6:50 p.m. Kol Nidre 6:40 p.m. Yom Kippur 7 a.m., 6:40 p.m. For general public, 18 and older $180; for sixth-12th-graders $100; for 6-month-olds to fifth-graders $100. No one will be turned away. 8906 W. Pico Blvd. (310) 276-9269.

COOL SHUL
Erev Rosh Hashanah 7 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 10 a.m. Kol Nidre 7 p.m. Yom Kippur 10 a.m., Yizkor, Neilah and break-fast 3 p.m. General adult tickets $180 and children $80. Single-service adult tickets $80, child tickets $20. Cheadle Hall, Temescal Canyon Park, 15900 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades. (310) 745-4578.

CREATIVE ARTS TEMPLE
Led by Rabbi Jerry Cuter, Rabbi Herb Freed and Cantor Paul Dorman. Featuring full choir conducted by Gary Nesteruk, Elizabeth Cohn and Chelsea Cutler. Erev Rosh Hashanah 8 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 10 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 10 a.m. Kol Nidre 8 p.m. Yom Kippur 10 a.m. Westwood United Methodist Church, 10497 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. Tickets $250. (818) 855-1301.

HAPPY MINYAN
Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach-style shul holds erev Rosh Hashanah at 6:50 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 8 a.m., 6:45 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 8 a.m., 6:45 p.m. Pre-Kol Nidre Mincha 6:15 p.m., Kol Nidre 6:45 p.m. Yom Kippur 8 a.m., Neilah 6 p.m. All tickets $180. No one will be turned away. 9218 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles.

IKAR
Join the progressive egalitarian congregation for High Holy Day services. Erev Rosh Hashanah 6:15 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 8:30 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 8:30 a.m. Kol Nidre 6 p.m. Yom Kippur 9 a.m. Yizkor 2 p.m. Neilah 5:45 p.m. Adults and children required to have IKARds for services and programs. All services $400, Rosh Hashanah only $280, Yom Kippur only $280. Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rosh Hashanah Second Day and Yom Kippur after 2 p.m. free, not including $10 fee for registration. Shalhevet High School, 910 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 634-1870.

KAHAL JOSEPH CONGREGATION
Modern Sephardic services. Erev Rosh Hashanah 6:15 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day and Second Day 8 a.m., 6:15 p.m. Kol Nidre 6:15 p.m. Yom Kippur 7 a.m., Mincha 3:45 p.m., Neilah 5:45 p.m. Havdalah and fast ends at 7:39 p.m. $300 adults, $150 teenagers post-bar and bat mitzvah through high school, $150 undergraduate and graduate students. Kahal Joseph, 10505 Santa Monica Blvd., Westwood. (310) 474-0559.

KEHILLAT ISRAEL
Join the Reconstructionist synagogue for erev Rosh Hashanah family services 5:30 p.m., evening service 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah morning service 10 a.m. Alternative Multi-Generational Service 10:30 a.m., Kol Nidre family service 5:30 p.m. Evening service 7:30 p.m. Yom Kippur morning service 10 a.m. Alternative Multi-Generational Service 10:30 a.m. Tickets $400. Rosh Hashanah Tot Service 4:30 p.m., Second Day early service 11 a.m. Mincha 4 p.m. and Yizkor 5:00 pm., free. Services held at Kehillat Israel, 6019 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, and at Westwood Village Theatre, 961 Broxton Ave., Westwood Village. (310) 459-2328.

KEHILLAT MA’ARAV
Erev Rosh Hashanah 7 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 9 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 9 a.m., Kol Nidre 6:30 p.m. Yom Kippur 9 a.m. $250, $100 per service. Olympic Collection Grand Ballroom, 11301 Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 829-0566.

MISHKON TEPHILO
Erev Rosh Hashanah 6:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day and Second Day 9:45 a.m. Kol Nidre 6:15 p.m. Yom Kippur 10:15 a.m. Tickets for guests of members of any age $165. Nonmember adult seats 13 and older $325 for reserved seats, $255 for general admission. Nonmember child seats 12 and younger $200 for reserved seats, $165 for general admission. 206 Main St., Venice. (310) 392-3029.

NESSAH SYNAGOGUE
Rabbi Shmuly Boteach is the Yom Kippur special guest speaker at the Iranian congregation. Erev Rosh Hashanah 6:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 9 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 9 a.m., 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre 7:30 p.m. Yom Kippur 8 a.m., 3 p.m. Neilah 6:15 p.m. $100 for ages 6-17, $150 for ages 18-24 and $275 for 25 and older. Nessah Congregation, 142 S. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 273-2400.

OHR HATORAH
Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 8:30 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 10 a.m. Kol Nidre 7:30 p.m., Yom Kippur 8:30 a.m. Tickets $200; children age 3-17, $100; college students (with ID), $50. With the exception of Rosh Hashanah second day, the non-affiliated synagogue’s services held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 W. Eighth St., Los Angeles. No ticket required for the second day service at Ohr HaTorah, 11827 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista. (310) 915-5200.

OPEN TEMPLE
Featuring Kabbalistic kirtan, sound bath, rock band, goat yoga, Mincha meditation and more. Erev Rosh Hashanah family service 4 p.m. Erev Rosh Hashanah Kirtan Chant Service 6:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 10 a.m. Family Service 4 p.m. Kol Nidre 7 p.m. Yom Kippur 10 a.m. Yom Kippur Family Service 4 p.m. Goat Yoga 5 p.m. Erev Rosh Hashanah family service and Rosh Hashanah Day family service $50. Erev Kabbalistic Kirtan $36. $180 Rosh Hashanah Day. Kol Nidre $180. Yom Kippur $180. $360 admits to Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice. (310) 821-1414.

PICO SHUL
Orthodox user-friendly Days of Awesome services handcrafted for the young and young at heart. Featuring a Kabbalistic kiddush, breakout sessions and an interactive atmosphere. Erev Rosh Hashanah 6:30-8:30 p.m., Rosh Hashanah Day and Second Day 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Kol Nidre 6 p.m. Yom Kippur 9 a.m.-1 p.m., followed by afternoon discussions, Mincha and Neilah. All services, $500. Rosh Hashanah: $89 general, $136 reserved, $49 for young professionals younger than 36. Same prices for Yom Kippur. Pico Shul, 9116 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles.

PACIFIC JEWISH CENTER
Orthodox congregation a.k.a. Shul on the Beach holds services on the Venice boardwalk. Erev Rosh Hashanah 7 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 9:30 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 9:30 a.m. Kol Nidre 7 p.m. Yom Kippur 9:30 a.m. Neilah 5 p.m. Tickets are priced on a sliding scale; contact the office for more information. Pacific Jewish Center, 505 Ocean Front Walk, Venice. (310) 392-8749.

SANTA MONICA SYNAGOGUE
Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 10 a.m. Kol Nidre 7:30 p.m. Yom Kippur 10 a.m., film and discussion 1 p.m. Family Service 3 p.m. Afternoon service 4 p.m. Yizkor 5 p.m. $225 for adults 18 and older. Free for those under 18. United Methodist Church, 1008 11th St., Santa Monica. (310) 453-4276.

SINAI TEMPLE
5,000 people are expected at the Conservative synagogue. Erev Rosh Hashanah 5:45 p.m., 8 p.m. Rosh Hashanah 8 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day 8 a.m. Kol Nidre 6 p.m. Yom Kippur 9 a.m. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd. For ticket prices, call (310) 474-1518 or visit sinaitemple.org. Atid alternative services with Sinai Temple young professionals, ages 21-39. Rosh Hashanah Day 4-6 p.m. Kol Nidre 9-10:30 p.m. Yom Kippur Neilah 5-8 p.m. Break-fast follows. Tickets $100 for an individual, $150 for couples. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. (310) 481-3244.

TEMPLE AKIBA
Erev Rosh Hashanah family service 5 p.m., erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 10 a.m. Children’s Service (at Temple Akiba) 3 p.m. Kol Nidre 7:30 p.m. Yom Kippur 10 a.m. Yizkor 3:30 p.m. $75-$230. College students free. Veterans Auditorium, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City (310) 398-5783.

TEMPLE BETH AM
Erev Rosh Hashanah led by Temple Beth Am clergy and featuring song, spirit and community. 6:15 pm. Open to the community at no charge. Registration required. Kol Nidre Under the Stars, a spiritual, musical, in-the-round prayer service on outdoor lawn, 6 p.m. Space limited. $100 per seat, $50 under 26 and seniors 65 and oolder. 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7354, ext. 211.

TEMPLE EMANUEL OF BEVERLY HILLS
Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 8:45 a.m., Tot Service 11 a.m., second adult Service noon. Rosh Hashanah second day adult service 9 a.m. Kol Nidre 6:15 p.m. Yom Kippur adult service with Yizkor 8:45 a.m., family service 8:45 a.m., adult service with Yizkor, noon. Contemporary Issues Forum on the #MeToo movement with Good Men Project experts 2:45 p.m. “Music, Mediation and Jonah” 4:30 p.m. Adult Neilah/Havdalah 5:20 p.m. Children 12 and younger are free. For nonmembers 13 and older, tickets are $175 for each of the six services or $550 for the package. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737.

TEMPLE ISAIAH
Reform congregation holds Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day Family Service 8:30 a.m. Morning service 11:15 a.m. Teen Service 11:30 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Second Day Tot Service 9:30 a.m. Morning service 10:30 a.m. Kol Nidre 7:30 p.m. Yom Kippur Family Service 8:30 a.m. Morning service 11:15 a.m. Teen Service 11:30 a.m. Speaker at 2 p.m. Healing Yoga and Meditation 3:30 p.m. Afternoon Service 3:30 p.m. Yizkor and Neilah 4:15 p.m. Except for second day of Rosh Hashanah, all services held at Royce Hall at UCLA, 10745 Dickson Court, Los Angeles. All-service adult tickets $575, youths younger than 25 and seniors, $280. Individual services, $165 adults, children and seniors, $80. Rosh Hashanah second day services at Temple Isaiah. (310) 277-2772.

BEVERLY HILLS TEMPLE OF THE ARTS
Experience the High Holidays through music, art, drama and film and with speakers from around the world. Erev Rosh Hashanah 8 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 10 a.m. Kol Nidre 8 p.m. Yom Kippur 10 a.m. Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. $150 for young adults ages 18-35, $400 for nonmember adults. (323) 658-9100.

UNIVERSITY SYNAGOGUE
Reform services include Erev Rosh Hashanah Brentwood Havurah service 7:30 p.m., regular service 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day tot service 8:30 a.m. Morning service 10:30 a.m. Kol Nidre Brentwood Havurah service 7:30 p.m., regular service, 7:30 p.m. Yom Kippur tot service 8:30 a.m., regular service 10:30 a.m. Afternoon service, Yizkor and Neilah 2:30 p.m. Nonmembers adult tickets $425, $210 for children under 26, no charge for college students or for children under 3. $118 for Brentwood Havurah Services (for 20s and 30s). University Synagogue, 11960 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 472-1255.

WILSHIRE BOULEVARD TEMPLE
Adult open seating services, family services and musical services on both days of Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur. Various times. Mincha, Yizkor, Neilah in the sanctuary 4 p.m. Nefesh Neilah 5:30 p.m. Various prices. Wilshire Boulevard Temple Glazer Campus, 3663 Wilshire Blvd. (213) 388-2401.

VITAL TRANSFORMATION
Free erev Rosh Hashanah and Rosh Hashanah services with Rabbi and Kabbalist Eliyahu Jian. Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:15 p.m., Rosh Hashana Day and Second Day morning service 9 a.m., Torah and lecture 9:45 a.m., shofar 10:45 a.m. Free lunch provided after Rosh Hashanah day and second-day services. RSVP mandatory at debbiejian@gmail.com or (561) 400-7796. Private home, 1471 S. Crest Drive, Los Angeles.

SOUTH BAY

CONGREGATION NER TAMID
South Bay Jewry comes together at the Conservative synagogue in Palos Verdes. Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day and Second Day 8:15 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Day Two Family Picnic 5:30 p.m. Kol Nidre 7:30 p.m. Yom Kippur 8:15 a.m. Yizkor 10:15 a.m. Mincha and Neilah 5 p.m. Nonmembers 26 and older $250 per adult. Members’ relatives 26 and older $125 per adult. College and graduate students, first responders and military admitted free. Congregation Ner Tamid, 5721 Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes. (310) 377-6986.

TEMPLE EMET
Musical, spiritual and inclusive services led by Rabbi-Cantor Didi Thomas. Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m., Rosh Hashanah Day 10 a.m., Kol Nidre 7:30 p.m., Yom Kippur 10 a.m. Adult ticket $180, students 18-25 and active military free with valid ID. Temple Emet, 2051 W. 236th St., Torrance. (310) 316-3322.

TEMPLE MENORAH
Led by Rabbi Leah Lewis and student cantor Kelly Cooper. Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 pm. Rosh Hashanah Day 10 a.m. Mishpachah Minyan 10:15 a.m. Children’s Programming follows. Rosh Hashanah Second Day Tot Service 9 a.m. Morning service 10:15 a.m. Kol Nidre 7:30 p.m. Yom Kippur Tot Service 10 a.m. Morning service 11 a.m. Mishpachah Minyan 11:15 a.m. Yizkor 5:30 p.m. Neilah 6:30 p.m. Havdalah, shofar, break-fast. Nonmembers, $360. Second day Rosh Hashanah service is free. Free for active military personnel and their dependents, dependent children and full-time students. Temple Menorah, 1101 Camino Real, Redondo Beach. (310) 316-8444.

TEMPLE SHALOM
Erev Rosh Hashanah 7 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day 10 a.m. Children’s Service 10 a.m. Kol Nidre 7 p.m. Yom Kippur 10 a.m. Children’s Service 10 a.m. Neilah 4:30 p.m. Nonmembers tickets $180 per service. Children services free for K-fifth-graders with adult paid ticket. Neilah and Break-the-Fast open to all ticketholders, RSVP required. Temple Shalom, 1818 Monterey Blvd., Hermosa Beach. (310) 613-3855.

PASADENA

PASADENA JEWISH TEMPLE AND CENTER
Erev Rosh Hashanah with the Conservative congregation begins at 7:30 p.m., Rosh Hashanah Day 9 a.m., Rosh Hashanah Second Day 9 a.m., Kol Nidre 8 p.m., Yom Kippur morning service 9 a.m., Neilah 6 p.m. $350. No ticket required for Rosh Hashanah Second Day. Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, 1434 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena. (626) 798-1161.

High Holy Days Services Calendar 5779 Read More »