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.
Mitzvah Opportunities
Justice, Justice shall you pursue.” – Deuteronomy.
Since its inception, Leo Baeck Temple has had a strong commitment to tikkun olam (Repairing the World). Mindful of the words of the ancient prophets and contemporary teachers, we seek to make this world a better place by doing acts of lovingkindness and by establishing justice. At Leo Baeck Temple, social action is not just a special event – but an everyday part of our communal life.
AIDS LUNCH GROUP
This group of volunteers serves lunch to men, women, children and newborns once a month at two out-patient clinics that are for AIDS/HIV infected patients. These clinics are adjacent to the USC County Hospital. Food is prepared at the temple by a group of volunteers called the “preppers.” Another group, called the “schleppers” brings the food to the clinic. We set-up lunch, serve it, and visit with the patients. The AIDS Lunch Group also collects and distributes desperately needed toiletries (usually the small, travel-sized ones). Over a twelve-month period, we serve over a thousand patients.
If you’d like to become a prepper or a schlepper … please contact AIDS Lunch Group chair, Charna Nissenson.
MITZVAH OF THE MONTH PROGRAM
The Mitzvah of the Month Program (MoTM) is designed to provide LBTers with a simple and easy way to perform a mitzvah each and every month. It’s a simple idea that has long-lasting impact. Whether through donations of sweaters and blankets to be used by elder and dependent adults that have been victims of abuse; or towels and pet care items for shelter animals; or books for shut-in veterans; or business attire and accessories for homeless men and women looking for a new start the MoTM program gives members of our community an opportunity to perform acts of Gemilut Chasidim (Acts of Lovingkindness).
We need your support to make the LBT Mitzvah of the Month program a success. In addition to donating items each month, we need volunteers to sort and deliver donated items. If you would like to get involved, please e-mail
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. Volunteering times are easy and flexible … the rewards are tremendous!
BIG SUNDAY
Big Sunday is an annual, city-wide volunteer day. Each year on Big Sunday, LBT members join with nearly 25,000 volunteers from synagogues, churches, schools, neighborhoods, and other groups all around Los Angeles to create a powerful day of action.
For the past two years, Leo Baeck Temple has hosted a Big Sunday festival for the hundred of men, women, and children associated with LAMP (Los Angeles Ministries Project) who ordinarily have little opportunity for celebration.
For more information, and to participate with Big Sunday at LBT, please contact
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. To learn more about Big Sunday, visit http://bigsunday.org/.