Temple News

We mark a major milestone in the history and future of Wilshire Boulevard Temple and University Synagogue with the closing of our merger agreement this past Friday to become one congregation.
 
First, we extend a warm welcome to the members of University Synagogue. We look forward to growing together as one congregation with the best of all that has distinguished University Synagogue and Wilshire Boulevard Temple for generations.

We recently had the pleasure of hosting world-renowned author, Dr. Harold Koplewicz via Zoom to discuss his new book, THE SCAFFOLD EFFECT: Raising Resilient, Self-Reliant and Secure Kids in the Age of Anxiety.  The book teaches moms and dads a strategy called scaffold parenting. Please enjoy the recorded video from our amazing Zoom with Dr. Koplewicz!

With all grade levels back to campus full-time, we want to give you a glimpse into how we have transformed our campus to mitigate risk for our students and faculty. While things may look a little different at Brawerman, the laughter, joy, and learning are still very much alive. 

Never before has a Pritzker Prize-winning architect designed a mezuzah, enabling you to be a part of history. In anticipation of opening the Audrey Irmas Pavilion doors, we invite you to donate a Rem Koolhaas designed Mezuzah for a door within the building and to receive a second mezuzah for your home. This opportunity is exclusive to the 99 interior doors of the building and will not be sold outside our Temple.

 We can’t wait to bring Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp (clap clap!) to Scripps College in Claremont! Scripps is a beautiful campus with all of the amenities we could want and more. We’ll be able to do all of our favorite camp activities, including archery, omanut o(arts and crafts), basketball, Teva (ropes course), plus introduce some new ones!

The hopeful news we announced in November about Wilshire Boulevard Temple and University Synagogue in Brentwood merging to become one congregation was unanimously approved by the Boards of Trustees of both Wilshire Boulevard Temple and University Synagogue. The merger agreement now proceeds to the Attorney General of the State of California for review before closing.

With every Jewish holiday, our early childhood centers aim to impart the children with a love and joy for Jewish tradition, through the values, experiences, and rituals of each holiday. Our teachers delve deep into the stories to find meaning and lifelong lessons that resonate with the children. 

While Purim evokes images of costumes, groggers, music, and celebrations, the Wilshire Boulevard Temple congregation also focuses each year on our greater community through mishlo-ach manot, the tradition of giving baskets of food to our friends, neighbors, and those in need and matanot levyonim for our neighbors and those in need.