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.
Peacebuilders
Intolerance lies at the core of evil. Not the intolerance that results from any threat or danger. But intolerance of another being who dares to exist. Intolerance without cause. It is so deep within us because every human being secretly desires the entire universe to himself. Our only way out is to learn compassion without cause. To care for each other simply because that “other” exists.
Rabbi Menachem Mendle
LBT Peacebuilders is a dynamic, action-oriented team committed to fulfilling our Jewish obligation of tikkun olam. We take the position that to fulfill our Jewish responsibility to be a “light onto the nations,” we must first start with ourselves – our hearts, our homes, our community, our city, and our people. As we shine light onto ourselves and step-up in our own lives, we equip ourselves to become a powerful force for real Peace in the world.
In recent years, LBT Peacebuilders' programs included:
A tour of Father Greg Boyle’s Homeboy Industries in East Los Angeles
A partnership with Just Vision and its founder, Ronit Avni. This includes Los Angeles area screenings of the award-winning documentary Encounter Point
The creation of Peace Week at Leo Baeck Temple. From October 22 – 28, 2007, Leo Baeck Temple members of all ages engaged in building peace … one piece at a time. Highlights included:
A special Shabbat evening service and dinner dedicated to exploring and discussion the overwhelming need for peace in our lives and in our world
A presentation by the best-selling authors of The Faith Club – in which we heard the story of three mothers from three faiths – Islam, Christianity, and Judaism – in a post 9/11 world
A morning spent with the homeless and formerly homeless veterans at New Directions – where we worked to build peace through a deeper understanding of our common humanity.
Go to this link to view or print out a pdf with complete details about OneVoice and last year's Peacebuilding program at LBT.
Join us in 2011 for the following events - including our Peacebuilding Shabbat Evening Service on Friday, October 28, 2011:
• Increasing dialogue about Israel within our congregation – Look for our upcoming email survey
• Regular Bulletin articles featuring a wide spectrum of LBT members and their thoughts and feelings about Israel
• Peacebuilding Week October 23 – 29 that will focus on the challenges Israel faces in creating peace and security
• Israel 2.0: Discover an Israel that Matters trip, November 27 to December 9 (see more on this site's "Travel" page)
• Israel Matters Blog page where you will find fresh, insightful, and informative material on the issues that Israel faces and where you can leave your comments
• And more… the Israel Matters team is committed to helping create a culture at LBT where we are informed and concerned about Israel and do our part in ensuring its future.