FEATURED EVENTS
02.08.12 Community of Elders Wednesdays at the Temple Full Day On the second Wednesday of the month - LBT’s Community of Elders offers classes and interactive presentations in the morning, followed by a bag lunch, and choice of Yoga with Norm Gee or Fun & Games.
FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH . . . Arrive at 9:30am for coffee, tea, fruit - followed by:
10:00 - 11:15 CLASS with Bob Farrell, Freedom Rider and former Los Angeles City Council member for 17 years, speaking on: LA City Council . . . Then and Now.
11:30 - 12:30 CONVERSATION with Sandy Banks, Los Angeles Times journalist, activist/writer.
Then stay the afternoon for a 12:30 Bring Your Own Bag Lunch (Dessert & Coffee provided)
1:30 - 3:00 Yoga with Norm Gee (for ALL ages) OR
1:30 - 3:00 Fun and Games: Stay the day and play bridge, Scrabble or enjoy our lending library of books.
02.09.12 Research Training Action Community Organizing at LBT is taking off! "Research Training Action" takes place Thursday, February 9, 7:00-9:00pm at Leo Baeck Temple. Join us as we launch the research phase of our work. For the next two months we will be researching opportunities for strategic action on the economy, education and health care system, at the local and state level, with a goal of finding the most strategic focus for our campaign. Then, mark your calendar for Contact us by email at
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or call the temple office at 310.476.2861 to let us know to expect you.
02.09.12 People of the Book Club Join us for our monthly meetings on the second Thursday at 7:30pm in the LBT Community Lounge.
Book title for February 9 - The Last Jump: A Novel of World War II by John E. Nevola. All are welcome.
For March 8 begin reading The Last Resort by Douglas Rogers.
02.10.12 Shabbat Evening Service / Scholar-in-Residence with Professor Daniel C. Matt - "Shekhinah: the Feminine Half of God" (see details below and on 2/11 and 2/12)
Each year, since 1980, an outstanding scholar visits Leo Baeck Temple for a weekend of study and discussion. Join us this year, as we welcome our 2012 Scholar-in-Residence: Professor Daniel C. Matt
Topic: From Kabbalah to the Big Bang: Ancient Wisdom and Contemporary Spirituality
Professor Matt will introduce us to some of the central themes of Kabbalah. On Friday night he will focus on the concept of Shekhinah (the feminine aspect of God) in the context of Shabbat. In his subsequent presentations, he will show how the Zohar interprets and reimagines the Torah, and how the mystical tradition enables us to discover God in the material world. Finally, he will address the question of “God and the Big Bang,” exploring parallels between Kabbalah and contemporary cosmology, and seeking to find harmony between science and spirituality. Please see the February/March Bulletin (page 5) for additional information and to register.
02.11.12 Scholar-in-Residence Program with Professor Daniel C. Matt
Kabbalah to the Big Bang: Ancient Wisdom and Contemporary Spirituality
Shabbat Morning Minyan / Session One 9:30-12:00 Join our Shabbat morning minyan for song, prayer, and learning, as Professor Matt teaches a passage from the Zohar on the Shabbat Torah portion. Minyan is followed by a vegetarian potluch Kiddush lunch.
Session Two 1:30-3:00 The Mystical Meaning of Torah
Session Three 3:15-4:45 Raising the Sparks: Finding God in the Material World
Havdalah 5:00
See 2/10 and 2/12 for additional topic information. Go to page 5 of the February/March Bulletin to attend Saturday's program.
02.12.12 Scholar-in-Residence Program with Professor Daniel C. Matt
From Kabbalah to the Big Bang: Ancient Wisdom and Contemporary Spirituality
On Sunday morning - Session Four 9:30-11:30, Professor Matt will address the question of “God and the Big Bang: Discovering Harmony Between Science and Spirituality.” Please see 2/10 and 2/11 for additional topic details; to register go to page 5 of the February/March Bulletin.
Green Team
"See my works, how beautiful and how excellent they are! All that I created, I created for you. Reflect on this, and do not spoil or destroy My world; for if you do, there will be no one to repair it after you.” Midrash Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:13
Stewarding the Earth is our Jewish responsibility; and that’s what the LBT Green Team is all about. Our purpose is to educate and to act; to build awareness of the devastating results of human exploitation of the earth and to promote life-style changes – starting right here at LBT – to preserve the environment. For the sake of ourselves, our children, our grandchildren, and all of those with whom we share this planet.
Our newly constructed synagogue center has the equivalent of a LEED silver rating.
Materials and Resources:
• Recycled carpet tile
• Low VOC paint
• Regional materials
• New furniture made from recycled materials with low VOC
Energy and Atmosphere:
• New AC equipment
• Fluorescent lights
• New ductwork
• New insulation
• Cool reflective roof
• Stub outs for future solar panels and conduit installed
• Partial commissioning
Indoor Environmental Quality:
• Walk off mats
• Special MERV filters to filter air
• Natural daylight
Water Efficiency:
• We installed 1/8 gallon flush urinals
• Dual flush on toilets
• Sinks with faucets on sensors
• Water efficient landscaping irrigation and plants
In an effort to “green” our temple community and to be a model of sustainability, LBT has already …
• Switched our waste collection system to compost and recycling
• Added recycling bins to every room and office
• Switched to 100% recycled paper wherever possible and when not, switched to 30% recycled paper
• Changed our plates to bamboo and sugar cane instead of paper
• Changed our cups to corn cups instead of plastic
• Asked for mugs to be used for meetings instead of disposable
• Converted our outdoor walkway and outdoor chapel and sanctuary lights to use CFL's
• Moved to fair traded, organic coffee
Events for 2010/2011: coming soon
We invite you to join the Green Team, to take part in this important work of bringing more environmental awareness and action to LBT. We welcome your ideas and your participation. Check out these interesting websites:
The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL)
Created in 1993, COEJL deepens the Jewish community’s commitment to the stewardship of the earth. This is an extensive, informative website.
The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, Southern California (COEJLSC)
This local affilate of COEJL organizes and supports local congregations in their greening efforts. Good for local events and resources.
TORAH TREK
The National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE)
Learn what other religious communities are doing to protect the environment.
TEVA Learning Center (Jewish Environmental Education)