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.
Professional Staff
Abigail Spiegel
Executive Director
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Abigail G. Spiegel has been our Executive Director since the spring of 2004, having joined the Leo Baeck Temple staff, as Program Director, in September 2002. She is responsible for the daily management of the temple’s operations and facilities. She serves as an ex-officio member of the Temple Board and Executive Committee and she staffs various temple committees including the Membership Committee, Finance Committee, Budget Committee, Endowment Committee, Communications and the House and Grounds Committee.
Abigail is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College. She is a senior member of the National Association for Temple Administration (NATA), a member of the NATA National Board, Co-Chair of the Education committee for the Portland Conference and is a member of NATA’s Membership committee. Abigail serves as President of the Professional Association of Temple Administrators (PATA.)
She is married to Adam Spiegel and they have four children, Sydney, Maxwell, Sascha, and Harry.
Avram Mandell
Director of Education
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Avram Mandell has been the Director of Education at Leo Baeck Temple since 2004. He holds a Masters degree in Jewish Education from HUC-JIR Rhea Hirsch School of Education. Prior to his tenure at Leo Baeck Temple, he worked in San Antonio at Temple Beth-El and at the URJ’s Greene Family Camp and Camp Harlam. Avram currently serves on the board of the North American Temple Educators. Additionally, he was the first recipient of the URJ "Technology Award" for creating a radio station at his synagogue, and has a chapter entitled "Funny Man,” in the book Still Small Voice: Reflections On Being A Jewish Man, Michael Holzman, ed. URJ Press, 2007.
Sally Loevner
Director - Leonard I. Beerman
Early Childhood Center
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Sally Loevner has a Masters degree in Education with an emphasis in reading. She brings to Leo Baeck Temple many years of experience in Jewish early childhood settings. She has previously been an ECC director and teacher as well as having been a kindergarten teacher. Sally's understanding of young children, their development, and of early childhood education will continue to help the ECC achieve its ongoing vision to be an intimate, caring, and stimulating environment for children to grow and develop.